CRPF arrives in Kandhmal; Curfew to stay

Bhubaneswar, Dec 26 (UNI) CRPF jawans were deployed today in the trouble-torn Khandamal district of Orissa where clashes between two communities forced the administration to clamp curfew indefinitely since last night.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the volatile situation in Kandhmal with the State Director General of Police twice during the day, described the situation as returning to normal.

Curfew was clamped at Baliguda and Phulbani last night and later extended to Daringibadi, Phiringia and Tikabali after the situation went out of control as rioting mobs ransacked shops and damaged places of worship and police station.

The authorities today relaxed curfew for sometime allowing the people to buy rations and essentials.

The trouble started since Monday when people of two communities clashed over erection of a gate on a disputed land at Brahamanigaon village to celebrate Christmas.

The situation turned worse after Swami Laxamananda Sarswati was injured in an attack from a group of people while the religious guru was on way to Brahamnaigaon.

Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, Pradip Kapoor said the situation was tense but now under control.

No untoward incident had been reported from any part of the district during the day, he said.

Mr Kapoor said the situation in Kandhmal was being reviewed every hour and a strict vigil was kept on the situation.

The injured Swami Laxamananda Sararaswati was now shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack by his supporters last night.

Director General of Police Gopal Nanda said all obstructions on the roads in the district would be cleared by tonight as the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force team had reached the spot and started clearing the blockades put by the mob.

UNI