Berhampur, July 17: Kodala is gradually limping back to normality after four days of intense violence. No fresh incidents of violence has been reported and no further arrest has been made in the area today.

Though the district administration has decided to keep the prohibitory order in force till complete normality returned to the area, a few betel shops and cold drink outlets were opened for a brief period in the morning hours today. Some vegetable shops were also opened for a brief period.

The roads, which were blocked by felling down trees and putting boulders, were partially cleared by the Orissa State Armed Police personnel. “The situation in Kodala is absolutely normal and under control,” said deputy inspector general of police (southern range), R.K. Sharma.

Superintendent of police in Ganjam Rajesh Pandit has appealed to the people to maintain peace. Though no fresh violence has been reported in the area and normality is being restored gradually, the police have kept a vigil on the situation there following visit of politicians of different parties.

Senior Congress leader and former Kodala legislator Ramkrushna Patnaik visited Chachina and some sensitive villages of Kodala area. “The district administration must respect the demand of the villagers. The police must stop atrocities against the public,” said Patnaik.

In another development, the police have handed over bodies of firing victims to their family members last night. The last rites were performed at their respective villages late last night in presence of the grieved villagers.

Narayan Palei from Khajapalli under Beguniapada block, who died in police firing, was working in Surat and returned recently after suffering from jaundice.

“He was innocent. I had asked him to go to Kabisuryanagar Hospital for a health check up. But he died in police firing while going to the hospital,” said Urmila, the deceased’s mother.