The Hindu : National : 3 killed in police firing as churches, more prayer houses attacked in Orissa

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3 killed in police firing as churches, more prayer houses attacked in Orissa

Special Correspondent

Situation across Kandhamal district continues to remain volatile for the fourth day

— PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

ATTACK BY VHP ACTIVISTS: The broken statue of Jesus Christ in a church at Baliguda, Orissa.

BHUBANESWAR: At least three persons were killed in police firing as several churches and houses were burnt down in different parts of the communal violence-hit Kandhamal district of Orissa on Thursday.

The situation across the district continued to remain volatile for the fourth consecutive day even as additional forces were called in from other places to bring the situation under control.

Three persons were killed as police opened fire at a mob that attacked the Brahmanigaon police station, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern Range) Satyabrata Sahu told The Hindu over the phone from the district headquarters town of Phulbani in Kandhamal.

“Tense but under control”

Mr. Sahu said the situation in the district was tense but under control. Policemen, who had maintained the maximum restraint, opened fire in self-defence, he added.

The mob comprising the Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists attacked the police station between 1 and 2 p.m. when the police tried to prevent them from attacking members of the local Christian community, official sources said.

Superintendent of Police of Gajapati district Amikendranath Sinha, who was camping at the police station, was injured in the attack.

According to sources, a prayer house was damaged at Sankarkhol village, while a mob burnt down a panchayat office at Sugudabadi village of the district.

An official said it was difficult to say how many places of worship were damaged as thousands of prayer houses dotted the district, mostly in remote areas.

The Brahmanigaon violence and arson took place soon after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited Phulbani town to review the situation.

On his return to Bhubaneswar around 2 p.m., Mr. Patnaik claimed that the situation in Kandhamal had “normalised” to a great extent. Confirming that many churches and prayer houses had been damaged, Mr. Patnaik said more than two dozen people had been arrested in the district.

“Action is being taken against the guilty,” he said, while reiterating his appeal to the people of Kandhamal to maintain peace and harmony. “Peace committees have been formed and meetings are being held.”

As regards the local tribals’ opposition to alleged granting of Scheduled Tribe status to Dalits, Mr. Patnaik said the government would look into their grievances.

In Bhubaneswar, Rajya Sabha MP from Kandhamal R. K. Nayak blamed the administration for its ‘failure’ to bring the situation under control. “The administration has collapsed. There is no law and order in the entire district,” Mr. Nayak said. State Congress chief Jayadev Jena criticised the government saying that it had failed to control the situation.

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