Violence-hit Orissa returning normal: Patnaik

Bhubaneshwar/Bangalore, Aug 30: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has claimed that the situation is improving in Orissa's Kandhamal District, which was gripped by religious violence following the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati.

Patnaik, who will visit the district on Saturday, Aug 30 said: "The situation in Kandhamal district is returning to normal." The visit comes as the Central Government has indicated that it favours a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violence that claimed at least ten lives. Expressing serious concern over the communal violence in Orissa, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said on Friday: "We would have liked ideally that this matter be handed over to the CBI because those responsible should get justice immediately as judicial probe takes longer time,"

He hoped that Chief Minister Patnaik would take adequate measures to restore normalcy and ensure quick justice to the victims. While the police are still carrying out investigations into the killing of the VHP leader, people of the region are living in a state of panic.

Shoot-at-sight orders were issued on Wednesday in eight blocks -- Phulbani, Baliguda, Tumudibandh, Raikia, Nuagaon, G Udaygiri, Tikabali and Sankarakhol of Kandhamal District.

Meanwhile, a group of intellectuals, academicians, human rights activists and students organised a candlelight vigil in Bangalore against the increasing violence in Orissa.

ANI