Hundreds return to villages in Kandhamal; Central forces withdrawn

Hundreds of Kandhamal Christians have returned to their villages following the visit of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram last Friday.

According to an official in the government, at least 300 people have returned to their villages in the riot-ravaged district affected by last year's August violence.

The District Collector of Kandhamal, Kishan Kumar, on Tuesday, said, "300 people have returned to their villages" and we expect "rest of the victims to return the earliest possible."

The volatile district has three state-run relief camps that are accommodating at least 2,000 victims in the wake of arson and attack directly after the murder of a Hindu leader on August 23, 2008.

Kishan points that there has been no violence on Christians since last nine months and it is apt time for the victims to return to their villages and lead a normal life.

The sudden decampment of the people has apparently come on the heels of Home Minister Chidambaram's visit on June 26.

The Minister visited all three relief camps and interacted with victims to whom he apologised and promised expedite measures to resurrect their lives.

He urged the victims to "go back to your villages, build your homes and churches and practice your religion without any fear."

He added: "Whoever has been found accused or involved in violent activities, will be prosecuted and punished."

The former finance minister chided the state police and local machinery and held them responsible for the escalating violence on minorities. He further demanded the government to up the compensation and re-construct the churches and houses.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged of central forces having left the communally sensitive Kandhamal as scheduled by June-end.

The Inspector General of Police Arun Sarangi confirmed "CRPF forces were upto June 30 and now have been withdrawn."

This, however, does not jeopardize the security of violence-affected Christians, for whom the government has promised to deploy 16 companies of state police including Orissa Special Armed Police.