Situation still tensed in Kandhamal 

Amid stray violence in riot-hit Kandhamal, the Orissa government today suspended day curfew and decided to allow outsiders including politicians to visit the district from tomorrow. “There will be no restriction on outsiders visiting Kandhamal from tomorrow,” Home Secretary T K Mishra told reporters here after a high-level team headed by him visited the district to review the situation and assess the extent of damage. The team worked out strategies for containing violence in the tribal-dominated district as well for accelerating relief and rehabilitation for the affected. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is scheduled to visit the district tomorrow. He is also likely to discuss the situation with Governor M C Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, official sources said. While Mishra claimed considerable improvement in the situation except some stray incidents, about 80 houses were torched in several villages of Tikabali and Sarangada areas since yesterday afternoon. Several women were also seen indulging in arson at some places, Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Southern Division, Satyabrata Sahu said. However, the situation was now effectively under control and fast returning to normal, said another official. As many as 19,000 riot-affected people were sheltered in relief centres set up in 10 of the district's 12 blocks.

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