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Curfew lifted in Phulbani

BERHAMPUR: Curfew was lifted on Sunday in Phulbani, headquarters town of the communal violence-hit Kandhamal district. No fresh incident was reported from any part there.

Curfew was relaxed during the day at Brahmanigaon, Daringbadi and Phiringia. But at Baliguda and Barkhama day curfew was imposed and security tightened in view of funeral rites for a tribal victim.

The 12th day rites for Khage Mallik of Mada village, who was caught between two stone-throwing groups at Barkhama on December 25, were conducted at Beningia village near Baliguda under tight police security. The event coincided with Sunday Mass in churches. Moreover, the tribal organisation Kui Samaj was allegedly planning to use the occasion for a congregation of tribals.

All roads leading to Baliguda and Barkhama were closed and were under armed police vigil. There was a massive police presence throughout the day in both places prone to communal violence.

The total number of arrests in connection with the communal violence in the district has risen to 125.

Meanwhile, a three-member fact finding committee led by John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council and secretary general of the All-India Christian Council, has released a White Paper on the incidents in Kandhamal.

It demanded a judicial enquiry by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or the Orissa High Court.

The committee alleged that the BJD-BJP government was callous in handling the communal violence.

A team from the National Minority Commission led by Dilip Padgaonkar is expected to visit the violence-hit areas on Monday.

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