Central forces to remain in Kandhamal for one more month

Agreeing to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's plea to retain the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Kandhamal, the Centre today announced the extension of the forces till June-end.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said it would retain five of the ten CRPF companies, bringing much relief to the State Government that last week pleaded to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to continue the deployment of forces in the hot spot district till victims return to their homes and complete normalcy is restored.

Naveen wanted the forces to continue for the next three months, keeping in mind the adequate security Christians need during the rebuilding of houses and churches in the communally sensitive district.

Home Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said, three out of seven companies in Kandhamal, one each from Narayanpatna block of Koraput district and Sorada block of Ganjam district respectively, will be withdrawn this week.

According to sources, the Centre that earlier had refused to accede to the State's plea, agreed to retain some companies after only Naveen had a telephonic conversation with P Chidambaram.

During last year's anti-Christian violence, as many as 53 companies (nearly 5300 personnel) of central force had been deployed in Kandhamal. The number, however, was reduced after no violence was reported from the region since October.

After the last batch of CRPF in June, says officials, 16 companies of state police including Orissa Special Armed Police would be positioned in sensitive areas.

A total Rs 170 crores has been billed on the State Government by the MHA for the central forces deployed during the peak of violence.