Jaiswal to visit trouble-torn Kandhmal

Bhubanbeswar, Aug 27 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Home Prakash Jaiswal arrived here today to make an on-the-spot tour of the trouble-torn Kandhmal, which has been witnessing communal clashes for the past few days in the wake of the killing of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswat and four of his disciples.

On his arrival, Mr Jaiswal proceeded to the Raj Bhawan to hold discussions with senior police and civil officials of the state on the prevailing situation in Kandhmal.

Describing the incident at Kandhmal as ''most unfortunate'', the Union Minister said he had come personally to visit the area and take stock of the situation.

The situation in Kandhmal has been described as tense after four people were killed in group clashes yesterday between the two communities at Barakhama village under Baliguda police station.

Official sources said both the communities exchanged fire leading to death of four persons.

Stray incidents of violence were also being reported from the district.

The state government had already deployed 25 platoons of Orissa State Armed Police, two companies of Rapid Action Force and two platoons of CRPF to contain the violence.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said six more companies of CRPF are likely to arrive in the state to be deployed in the sensitive and troubled pockets to contain the situation.

The authorities clamped curfew in Phulbani, Baliguda and Tumudibandh and promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPc in rest parts of the district as precautionary measures.

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