Additional forces rushed to Kandhamal

Additional paramilitary forces was rushed to riot-hit Kandhamal district where curfew remained in force in sensitive areas, official sources said.

"As many as seven companies of paramilitary forces were deployed in troubled areas of the district to strengthen security and prevent further flare up," Kandhamal District Collector Krishan Kumar said.

However, force mobilisation to strengthen vulnerable areas became tough as miscreants blocked a large number of roads by felling trees and putting boulders, he said, adding that the obstacles were being removed on a war footing.

No fresh violence took place on Friday and the situation remained tense but under control, he said.

In the wake of fresh violence and arson at several places in Raikia, Tikabali and G Udaygiri areas where one person was killed in a crude bomb attack, security was tightened and curfew clamped in nine places enforced strictly, sources said.

The state government also sought 10 more companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre to tackle the situation in Kandhamal where tension persisted since the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Laxmanananda Saraswati on August 23.

Many areas in Raikia and G Udaygiri remained cut off for the last couple of days due to felling of trees, while the road between Berhampur and Phulbani was cleared and vehicular movement resumed on Friday, sources said.

While two persons, injured in police firing in Raikia two days ago, were undergoing treatment in the hospital, two others with bullet wounds were admitted to the same hospital after being shot by unidentified attackers in Tikabali area late Thursday night, sources added.