Orissa remains tense, curfew clamped in nine areas

Kandhmal (Orissa), Sept 25 : Curfew was clamped in nine sensitive areas of Orissa's Kandhamal district today in the wake of fresh violence in the region. Nearly 100 houses and a couple of churches and prayer houses were either set afire or damaged in about half-a-dozen places under Daringibadi, G Udaygiri and Tikabali police stations around dawn break.

At least 42 companies of security forces including CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed since violence broke out after the recent killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Though additional forces were rushed to several sensitive areas to control the situation, movement of security personnel was badly affected due to obstructions on roads placed by miscreants.

Huge logs and boulders were placed at around 42 places in Tikabali and G Udaygiri areas, making it virtually impossible for security forces to proceed.

Hindu hard-liners claim that missionaries force or bribe people to convert to Christianity.

The missionaries, who work mostly with poor tribes in the region, deny that anyone has been pressured or paid to change their religious beliefs.

ANI