Central forces extended, but hundreds already left to neighboring Andhra

Not a major relief, but at least better. The Ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to extend the paramilitary forces for another two weeks in riot-ravaged Kandhamal.

The decision has come a day after Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik decried the withdrawal of central forces on June 30.

Related: Normalcy returned? Chief Minister wants re-deployment of CRPF

Patnaik said he was 'shocked' by the pulling of forces especially as thousands of Christians dwell in state-run relief camps, waiting to return to their villages.

Earlier, the Centre agreed to retain the last five of ten companies for one more month from May. And as June concluded, the forces were withdrawn and state police were designated to guard the district.

The worried Patnaik later urged the Home Minister P. Chidambaram to extend the forces at least "till the Christians return to their villages" and "life returns to normalcy".

Fortunately, the Centre gave its ear and extended the forces for two more weeks. The decision was confirmed by Inspector General of Police Arun Sarangi. According to Sarangi, the "forces will remain deployed till July 13."

Meanwhile, losing all hope on the state government hundreds of riot victims traveled to neighboring Andhra Pradesh where they continue to seek for peace and solace.

Around 600 victims from Gajapati district is reported to have left their relief camps and shifted to Stuartpeta in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.

They have accused the local authorities for forcing them to decamp even as hostilities and abuses continued from Hindu extremists in the aftermath of Swami Laxmananda's murder.

According to one of the villager Sarat Lima, the local administration "closed the relief camps and told us to return to our villages where things are hardly normal."

"We don't know who killed Swami Laxmananda and why. But it's been a hellish existence since the murder happened. Now the relief camps are closed even though things are hardly normal. The most shocking thing is that no one has come forward to help us," Lima was quoted by the TOI, as saying.

The refugees, he said, have bought 4 acre of land at Stuartpeta for a subsidized rate. In addition, the local head of the district has "promised to provide us with ration cards, BPL cards and other facilities soon."