Fresh violence reported in Kandhamal, one killed

Violence in Orissa’s Kandhamal district persists, as in a fresh incident one person was killed in police firing and several others including police personnel were injured on Tuesday afternoon.

According to reports, villagers of Raikia Block of the riot-hit Kandhamal district attacked a local police station over the arrest of two persons in connection of the week-long communal violence in the region.

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The locals were demanding immediate release of the two detained persons.

As the protest turned to violent with police beaten up by villagers, the security personnel were forced to firing, resulting in the death of one tribal.

The district along some other tribal-dominated regions of the state has witnessed prolong communal violence since the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati on August 23. At least 30 people were killed and thousands left their houses when the violent anti-Christian protesters torched houses and prayer halls.

Despite State administration’s repeated claim of situation under control, miscreant activities have been reported in some parts. Meanwhile, the authority has deployed security forces in all the sensitive areas to contain any escalating situation.

Earlier, the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) after visiting the camps established for the relief and rehabilitation for displaced Christians has urged for a CBI probe to the killing of Swami Lakshmanananda and the following communal clash between Hindus and Christians.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already termed it as a “national disgrace”. However, the state administration is yet to get over the situation that is still tensed in many areas.

It is unfortunate for the administration that has to act simultaneously for the flood-ravaged districts and the ongoing clashes over religious conversion.