Union ministerial team to assess Kandhamal situation

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 (UNI) A Central government ministerial team, headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, is arriving here on November 17 to assess the Kandhamal situation.

Home Secretary T K Mishra said the team, consisting of Union Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kyndiah, Road Transport and Shipping Minister T R Balu, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar, would visit Kandhamal on November 18 and hold discussion with state government officials the next day before leaving for New Delhi.

Communal violence gripped Kandhamal district after VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his disciples were killed by the Maoists son August 23 night.

The violence had so far claimed 36 lives while several houses and prayer halls, besides, churches were set ablaze.

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