Parts of Orissa continue to remain under curfew

The situation in Orissas Kandhamal district continues to remain tense after Hindu religious groups clashed with Christians on the day of Christmas.

Bhubaneshwar, Dec 26 : The situation in Orissa's Kandhamal district continues to remain tense after Hindu religious groups clashed with Christians on the day of Christmas.

Indefinite curfew is still in force in Phulbani, Baliguda, Daringibadi and Brahmani Gaon area of the district as fresh incidents of violence has been reported from there.

Incidents of violence have been also reported from curfew-bound areas of Barakhama and Jaleshpata.

According to police, four houses have been torched outside Abraham, and six others were set on fire in Jaleshpata.

Additional security units have been sent to the affected areas.

Laxmanananda Saraswati, a VHP leader and prominent anti-conversion activist was allegedly attacked on Monday that gave a violent turn to things.

Paramilitary forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force are on guard in the curfew-bound areas the State, which witnessed large-scale attacks on churches, houses and offices of certain NGOs on Tuesday, police said.

As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders were also imposed in Phiringia, Tikabali, Udaigiri and Raikia, a senior police official said.

The CPM has condemned the attacks on minorities and their institutions. In a press statement in New Delhi, the Polit Bureau accused the Orissa government of having failed to protect them and their property. It demanded deployment of adequate security forces in the affected areas and punishment to those responsible for the violence.

ANI