Normalcy returned? Chief Minister wants re-deployment of CRPF

Has normalcy returned in Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal? One would seriously doubt this as chief minister of the state Naveen Patnaik has begged for the re-deployment of Central forces.

On June 30, as scheduled, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved the withdrawal of the remaining CRPF forces that were part of dozens other battalions dispatched after violence erupted in Kandhamal last year.

With the last four companies of the CRPF forces withdrawn, the state has seen the detaching of all the 53 companies that sheltered the victims and relief camps from further violence.

The move in fact came just days after the visit of Home Minister P. Chidambaram who interacted with victims and gave ear to the security concerns of the people.

Patnaik said this came as a 'shock' as the Interior Minister had already witnessed the plights of people and the need for forces at least till refugees return to their villages.

The politico condemned the withdrawal and called for the re-deploying of forces till normalcy restored. "The forces must remain at least till the situation returns to normal," he said.

Recently, an official of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) also admitted that the Centre must provide the extension of paramilitary forces in the riot-hit district.

Vice-chairman of NCM, M.P. Pinto, expressed fear that violence might return in the volatile district, noting that people in relief camps were extremely 'frightened' and were still doubtful of living in peace with their villagers.

"It would be normal only after the last person leaves the camp," Pinto said. "Our top priority would be to ensure that all the people return home and peace is restored."

Incidentally, the Ministry of Home Affairs was to withdraw the forces by May-end. But after several pleas by the Orissa state government it decided to retain five of the ten CRPF companies till the end of June.