Curfew relaxed in Phulbani, continues in rest of Kandhmal district

Bhubaneswar, Dec 27 (UNI) Authorities today relaxed curfew in Phulbani town this morning while it remained in force in other areas of Kandhmal district, which had witnessed a communal clashes between tribals and Christians.

Curfew was imposed first in Baliguda and Phulbani on December 23 night and later in Daringibadi, Phiringia and Tikabali, following widespread violence after a clash between the two communities.

The authorities were forced to clamp curfew after the situation went out of control and the mob went on a rampage, ransacking shops, damaging places of worship and the police station.

The district was rocked by a communal flare on December 24 after a group of Christians tried to forcibly occupy the Durgamandap and erect a gate to celebrate Christmas.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda today visited Kandhamal to review the volatile situation prevailing in the distirct over the past three days.

Sources said an irate mob had ransacked the office of the Additional Tehsildar, a Public Works department bungalow and an NGO office at Khajiripara area of the district last night.

UNI