Kandhamal situation under control: Home Secretary

Bhubaneswar, Dec 29 (UNI) The situation in Kandhmal area rocked by a communal clash was under control today, state Home Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra said.

Mr Mishra said no untoward incident was reported from any where and seven companies of central para military forces and 40 platoons of state police were deployed in sensitive areas to ensure peace in the district.

He said the people who had fled to jungles in the wake of the strife, had returned to their villages and the government was providing food and clothes to affected people in the camps.

The Home Secretary said around 700 people were accommodated in the relief camps.

Mr Mishra said the road communication net work and the telecommunication network that disrupted during the clash had been restored.

He said the day curfew was relaxed in some areas during the day time and the authorities were considering to relax it further, he said.

The communal clash erupted in Brahamanigaon village in the district on Monday last over the erection of a welcome gate by the Christians to celebrate the Christmas.

The clash had so far claimed two lives. Chief Minister Naveen Pattanaik had ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident while Steel and Mines Minister Padmanav Behera resigned owning moral responsibility.

UNI