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ORISSA KANDHMAL REPORT
Prafulla Das
KANDHAMAL: From outside, the situation appears normal in Orissa's Kandhamal district, which witnessed large-scale anti-Christian violence five months ago. But interaction with locals and administration officials on Monday made it clear that the divide on the lines of religion, caste and political affiliations was hampering restoration of peace.
Although life turned a bit normal with the opening of some schools and colleges, distrust among those belonging to different religions and supporting different political parties, and Kui tribals and Dalit Panas continues to be conspicuous. Such was the level of fear that virtually no one was ready to divulge his identity.
Situation in camps
But many of those sheltering in relief camps, having losing all hopes of returning to their villages, were eager to reveal their identity.
"We are not able to go back to rebuild our homes as Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists have been reiterating that we should convert to Hinduism if we want to return to our village or else leave Kandhamal for good," said 60-year-old Bitaliya Digal of Toparbali, who is staying with his family members at the Tikabali camp.
More than 25,000 people took shelter in different relief camps in the district when communal violence was at its peak. The riots broke out after the killing of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23 last.
But a vast majority of those who were in these camps left the district, while a few hundred families returned to their villages. Many of those who returned to their villages reconverted to Hinduism.
CRPF presence
Despite heavy deployment of Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many people are apprehensive that the situation could turn worse in the run-up to the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
More than 30 companies of Central paramilitary forces are now on duty in Kandhamal and the administration is trying its best to maintain this level until after the elections are over. But locals are of the view that tension will continue in Kandhamal for many more months to come.
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KANDHAMAL: From outside, the situation appears normal in Orissa's Kandhamal district, which witnessed large-scale anti-Christian violence five months ago. But interaction with locals and administration officials on Monday made it clear that the divide on the lines of religion, caste and political affiliations was hampering restoration of peace.
Although life turned a bit normal with the opening of some schools and colleges, distrust among those belonging to different religions and supporting different political parties, and Kui tribals and Dalit Panas continues to be conspicuous. Such was the level of fear that virtually no one was ready to divulge his identity.
Situation in camps
But many of those sheltering in relief camps, having losing all hopes of returning to their villages, were eager to reveal their identity.
"We are not able to go back to rebuild our homes as Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists have been reiterating that we should convert to Hinduism if we want to return to our village or else leave Kandhamal for good," said 60-year-old Bitaliya Digal of Toparbali, who is staying with his family members at the Tikabali camp.
More than 25,000 people took shelter in different relief camps in the district when communal violence was at its peak. The riots broke out after the killing of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23 last.
But a vast majority of those who were in these camps left the district, while a few hundred families returned to their villages. Many of those who returned to their villages reconverted to Hinduism.
CRPF presence
Despite heavy deployment of Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many people are apprehensive that the situation could turn worse in the run-up to the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
More than 30 companies of Central paramilitary forces are now on duty in Kandhamal and the administration is trying its best to maintain this level until after the elections are over. But locals are of the view that tension will continue in Kandhamal for many more months to come.
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Comment by Terry on February 11, 2009 at 12:50am
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The governmenty is getting scary over herwe to i do not understand i feel the place where i am is being over taken by all that bis evil i never relized that here all along the agenda has been natural selectiobn . Feel maybe time for move out of the public eye , everything i]s tracked all couimunications and tracking devices are ready to be put in place with the recent election of a new president. and some walking up to the fact they have been lied to brain washed or just eliminated in the most humane way . By the medical some Not all truly concerned , Our country is the biggest drug dealere here . concerned for pthers especially family> PRAY for my son Ronald and all our children for they are in harms way. little girl 7 nmissing amber alert in town tonight news decided not to cover it the media is owned by charlatans and most of what public reads is far from truthful. What is going ON
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