Kandhmal clash: Orissa govt hikes compensation

Bhubaneswar, Jan 22 (UNI) The Orissa government today raised the compensation amount for the riot-affected people of Kandhamal district, whose houses were damaged during the recent communal clash.

Official sources here said the government increased the compensation from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 for those whose houses were completely damaged during the communal clash.

The government, the sources said, also announced to provide Rs two lakh for reconstruction to each of the educational institutions, hostels and hospitals damaged during the clash.

Earlier, the government had announced a compensation of Rs one lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the kins of each of the three people killed in the communal clash.

The government had also provided polythene, blankets, sarees, dhoti, utensils and opened free kitchens to provide food to the riot victims for a period of three months.

As many as three people were killed and thousands of houses and places of worship belonging to both Hindus and Christians damaged in the riot.

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