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Violence-hit areas remain tense

BERHAMPUR: Panic prevailed at Barkhama village in Kandhamal district on Thursday while the curfew imposed by administration remained in force at Baliguda town, a few km away from the village.

First death during recent spurt of communal violence occurred at Barkhama village on Tuesday. Since then around four hundred houses of mostly members of minority community were torched in the communal violence at the village. The arson continued. There were no policemen present at Barkhama on Thursday afternoon although there was massive armed police presence at Baliguda, where curfew was imposed. It seems police presence at this village had diminished as the village dominated by minority community was almost deserted.

A deadly silence ruled the village. “Most of the families of minority community have escaped to nearby hills to escape communal wrath,” said Pitamabar Digal, who claimed he had not taken a full meal since last two days. Remnants of placards of tribal organisation, Kui Samaj, ochre flags of VHP activists and ashen remains of Christmas festivities at ransacked prayer houses now dot the village.

Around fifty homeless victims of communal violence from Barkhama and other villages had managed to reach Baliguda police station for shelter. Curfew was relaxed at Baliguda for two hours on Thursday afternoon but most of the shops remained closed.

Many came out to stare at the stark reality of communal violence. The two churches at the heart of Baliguda town are deserted.

One of them still bore a desecrated idol of Lord Jesus on Wednesday afternoon. Remnants of charred vehicles dotted the road.

A peace committee meeting was called up at Baliguda sub-collector’s office under the chairmanship of senior administrative officer, S.Suar during relaxation of curfew.

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