Orissa Youth Congress raps Govt on Kandhamal issue

Most of the districts of Orissa remained tense on Monday owing to the rally and protest of the Youth Congress, a segment of the Orissa (Odisha) Pradesh Congress Committee against the communal violence in Kandhamal and adjoining regions.

The Youth Congress workers gheroed the headquarters of the district magistrate demanding the resignation of the chief minister of the state for having failed to manage the law and order situation as a result of which the poor are suffering the most.

The state wing of the Youth Congress tried to storm into Naveen Niwas but police controlled the situation and nabbed most of them. Rohit Pujari, chief of the Youth Congress demanded immediate stepping down of the chief minister for his complete failure in curbing the violence.

Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of Sadhus paid their homage to the slain VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati who was killed on August 23. His killing was the prime cause behind the religious riot that erupted between Hindus and Christians with accusation that Christians were behind the killing.

Meanwhile, the situation in Kandhamal improved gradually as day curfew was lifted allowing customary activities. However, curfew is still in force in several towns during night and prohibitory orders are in place in remaining areas.