Bhubaneswar, Dec. 31: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a relief and rehabilitation package for the victims of the recent violence in Kandhamal, even as he announced several changes in the local police set up.

“The situation has improved and there has been no violence since December 27,” Naveen (in picture) said, adding that he had spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and apprised him of the latest situation.

During his review, Naveen transferred as many as 12 senior police officers of the rank of IG, DIG and SP in order to “streamline” the set up. DGP G.C. Nanda said the area was slowly returning to normal and those who had fled their homes were now returning. Peace committee meetings were also being held to restore the confidence of the people.

Naveen announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of the kin of three riot victims. Besides, he said Indira Awas houses would be given to those whose homes were burnt down and a relief package of Rs 10,000 each to those whose homes were damaged partially.

He also directed the administration to ensure polythene sheets, blankets, clothes, utensils and cooked food were supplied regularly to those who had been hit by the violence. The meeting also discussed the contentious issue of granting ST status to Kui-speaking non-tribals of Kandhmal district. But Naveen made it clear there was no question of according ST status to non-tribals and directed district officials to verify facts before issuing caste certificates.

Naveen advised district officials to ensure they gave due importance to public grievances by taking expeditious steps to redress them.

As for other administrative steps, the chief minister announced that quick measures would be taken to fill up vacancies in departments like revenue, food supplies, panchayati raj and health and post “responsible” officers in each.

Later, speaking to journalists, chief secretary Ajit Tripathy said curfew was continuing in the sensitive towns of the district while patrol- ling was on in the trouble-prone pockets. So far, 40 criminal cases have been regist- ered and over 80 people — allegedly involved in the violence — arrested.