Bhubaneswar: A worried Orissa government on Sunday sought additional central para-military force in the wake of shortage of personnel to combat continuing communal violence that spilled into areas adjacent to Kandhamal district.
A day after violence rocked Jeypore in Koraput district, three companies of CRPF and eight platoons of State Armed Police (OSAP) were deployed at the curfew-bound town, Deputy Inspector General of police Sanjeev Panda said.
Though the situation was brought under control in Jeypore — where 11 persons, including officials, were injured in mob attack and clash between two communities over an objectionable graffiti — stray incidents of damage to three churches and prayer halls took place at nearby Baipariguda and Kundra, police said.
While there was no relaxation in curfew at Jeypore, prohibitory orders were in force at Baipariguda as six persons were arrested for arson and rioting.
"I spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil seeking 10 more companies of para-military forces. They are supposed to arrive from Guwahati," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters after a two-day visit to Kandhamal to review the situation in the communally sensitive district.
Besides visiting some riot-hit villages and relief camps, Patnaik also went to Jalespeta Ashram in Tumudibandh, where VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati was killed on August 23.
He asserted that those perpetrating violence would be punished while promising quick relief and rehabilitation for the affected people.
In Kandhamal, a semblance of normalcy prevailed amidst reports of stray incidents of houses being torched in Gochapada and some other places.
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