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Curbs lifted on visit to Kandhamal

BHUBANESWAR: The State government on Friday lifted restrictions on the visit of politicians of different parties to the communal violence-affected Kandhamal district as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the district for the third time.

Talking to presspersons after his return from Kandhamal, Mr. Patnaik said politicians could now visit the affected areas of the district. They, however, should not make any statement that could disturb peace, he said.

Several political parties had criticised the government for not allowing them to enter the district where communal violence broke out on December 24. The opposition parties had also announced to enter the district defying the restrictions on Saturday.

While a number of churches were burnt down, the rioters also burnt down hundreds of houses belonging to both Christians and Hindus. At least three persons were killed during the violence in the district.

Mr. Patnaik visited Brahmanigaon village, one of the worst-hit areas, and spoke to the people in the relief camps. Promising all possible help to the victims of the violence, he sought the people’s cooperation in maintaining communal harmony and peace in the region.

Senior officials of the district administration and top officials from the government were present at Brahmanigaon during Mr. Patnaik’s visit to the area.

The Chief Minister had first visited the district headquarters town of Phulbani to take stock of the situation on December 27. He also visited the district when Union Home Minister visited the area. Earlier in the day, Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy told reporters that the decision to lift restrictions on the visit by politicians to the district was taken after receiving a report of the district administration. With regard to the restrictions on the visit of non-government organisations to distribute relief among the affected people, Mr. Tripathy said a decision in this regard would be taken after consultation with the district administration.

The district had not witnessed any violent incident since December 27, Mr. Tripathy said. Meanwhile, night curfew continues in three towns -- Brahmanigaon, Baliguda and Daringibadi.

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