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Shoot orders in Kandhamal district

Prafulla Das

Violence escalates in Orissa

Situation out of control, says Union Minister
Centre rushing four CRPF battalions

BHUBANESWAR: As violence continued unabated in Orissa’s Kandhamal district for the fourth day on Wednesday and Christians and their institutions were targeted by those protesting the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda, the authorities issued shoot-at-sight orders in eight curfew-bound towns of the district.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, who arrived here to visit Kandhamal, was advised against it by the authorities in view of the prevailing situation.

Discussions held

Before flying back to New Delhi, Mr. Jaiswal met Governor M.C. Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and discussed the situation in Kandhamal and other districts.

Mr. Jaiswal told presspersons later that the situation in Kandhamal was out of control. “Had the [Orissa] government taken timely steps, the violence could have been contained.”

He, however, said that the Centre would ensure the deployment of four battalions of the CRPF and three helicopters as per the State government’s request.

Death toll rises to 14

The unconfirmed death toll in the violence rose to 14 by the evening with the killing of at least four persons in different incidents in Kandhamal during the day.

Director-General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda told The Hindu that the official death toll by Wednesday morning stood at nine – eight in Kandhamal and one in Bargarh district.

More incidents of violence, including attack on Christian houses, churches and other institutions, were reported from areas under Baliguda, G. Udaygiri, Raikia, Tikabali, Sarangada and Phiringia police stations.

At Tikabali, four police personnel, including an Additional Superintendent, were injured when a mob attacked their vehicles. A clash between people belonging to two communities was reported from the Kotgarh area.

The other districts remained peaceful.

A total of 75 people were taken into custody in Raikia and eight were booked at Tikabali. One person was taken into custody at Phiringia in connection with the killing of the Swami. The government has formed a special task force under the supervision of the Crime Branch to investigate the Swami’s killing.

Pope condemns attacks

A Vatican City datelined AP report said Pope Benedict XVI condemned the attacks on Christians in Orissa.

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