Scarred history: A Kandhamal church after December 25, 2007

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22: Tension broke out in Kandhamal even as Hindus and Christians today resolved to ensure a peaceful Christmas at a harmony meeting held in the district today.

According to G-Udayagiri police station sources, an altercation ensued between a member of Rudangia panchayat samiti, Netramani Pradhan, and CRPF personnel while the former was on his way to Phulbani to attend the meeting.

Pradhan was irked when the paramilitary personnel searched his vehicle at a check post, allegedly manhandled and detained him.

When the news spread, thousands of villagers from nearby areas gheraoed the CRPF camp demanding Pradhan’s immediate release, said officer-in-charge of G-Udaygiri police station Ashok Mohapatra. Pradhan’s supporters alleged said he was severely beaten up by the CRPF and sustained multiple injuries for which he was later hospitalised.

An irate mob gheraoed the camp demanding withdrawal of paramilitary forces from the area. The gherao continued till evening. Kandhamal superintendent of police S. Praveen Kumar, who rushed to the spot, told The Telegraph efforts were on to resolve the matter.

Kandhamal collector Krishan Kumar said senior district and police officers were also talking with the villagers. “I hope the issue will be resolved shortly,” he said.

Kumar, who chaired the peace meeting at Phulbani today, said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Representatives of all communities unanimously resolved to make Christmas peaceful. The district chief also seemed satisfied with the security measures taken. “We have sought three companies of Rapid Action Force and two units of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force,” he said.

Around 4,000 policemen and security personnel have been deployed across the communally sensitive region. At least 40 people were killed in the state and thousands were forced to flee their homes following mob attacks after the murder of Laxmananda Saraswati in August this year.

Last December, violence had erupted in Kandhamal on Christmas eve that had continued for a week. Three persons were killed, while hundreds of houses, churches, prayer halls, schools and hospitals were damaged.

Chief secretary Ajit Tripathy and home secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, too, assured that churches would receive extra protection before the Yuletide celebrations. In this regard, a delegation of Christian leaders had met chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday and requested him to provide necessary security to churches.