4,000 trouble makers identified in riot-hit Kandhamal

Orissa police on Tuesday picked out 4,000 people marked as possible troublemakers ahead of election in Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal district.

"We have identified at least 4,000 people of different religions and communities who could create trouble. We have asked them to sign bonds that they will maintain peace and harmony," District collector Krishan Kumar was quoted saying.

"Already, 2,600 people have signed the bonds. We have served notices to the others and hope they will also sign it in the next few days," he said.

With the Assembly and general elections on April 16, the government is taking adequate measures to prevent violence in the state especially Kandhamal where Christians were murdered and churches burnt since August 23, 2008.

Around 3,000 security personnel have been deployed in the region till the elections are over.

As some political parties have placed 'conversion' their main poll plank and others accusing Christians in the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, police fear violence might further escalate during the elections.

Earlier this month, Archbishop Raphael Cheenath requested the Election Commission to postpone the polls due the victims' unavailability in voting due to the tense situation.

Bishop Cheenath pointed that violence still continues and the government hence should guarantee voting rights by postponing the election until the security situation has improved.