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CPI(M) concern over ‘threats’ to Christians

BHUBANESWAR: As sporadic incidents of violence continued to be reported from riot-affected Kandhamal district with two prayer houses damaged at Mundigarh and Lankagarh under Tumudibandha police station on Wednesday night, the State committee of the CPI(M) on Thursday blamed the Naveen Patnaik Government for its failure to bring the situation under control.

At a press conference here, senior CPI(M) leader and former MP Shivaji Patnaik expressed concern over the reported threats that the Christian families living in relief camps had been given.

The riot-affected Christian families who had taken shelter in various relief camps had been warned against returning to their villages till they embraced Hinduism, Mr. Patnaik said.

Alleging that the Sangh Parivar was preparing for more violence in Kandhamal, Mr. Patnaik said the situation will go out of hand if the State government failed to take proper measures.

The CPI(M) leader demanded that the Government deploy senior police officials and CRPF personnel in all police station areas of Kandhamal to maintain law and order. He also demanded that the leaders who were inciting violence in the strife-torn district be brought to book along with those indulging in violence.

Meanwhile, tension continued in many interior areas of Kandhamal. According to official sources, a large number of miscreants had made an attempt to attack Phiringia police station on Wednesday night after blocking the roads leading to the area.

The police prevented the attack by clearing the roads and deploying additional security personnel. A mob had burnt down Gochhapada police station in the district early on Tuesday and killed a police constable.

The attack was in protest against the police firing at Kurtamgarh village on Saturday. At least five persons were killed in police firing when a mob comprising 300 people clashed with the CRPF men.

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