Curfew relaxed in Kandhamal

Curfew was relaxed for a short period on Thursday in Orissa's Kandhamal district, where some violence was reported despite shoot-at-sight orders, as the situation in most areas was under control.

"Though tension prevails in some remote areas, the situation has been brought under control in 6 to 7 out of the 12 blocks of the district," District Collector Krishan Kumar said.

The violence was reported from Tikabali, G Udaygiri and other areas.

Additional central forces have arrived in the troubled areas but were facing difficulty in movement because of obstacles on roads. More central forces are expected, Kumar said.

Curfew was relaxed for three hours in the morning in some places at the district to enable the people to shop essential commodities, official sources said.

So far 70 criminal cases have been registered and 123 persons arrested for the violence in the state, they said.

Meanwhile, the Orissa High Court directed the government to take quick measures to restore peace following the violence sparked by the August 23 killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.

"Take measures to restore peace in the area immediately by deploying adequate forces," a bench comprising of Chief Justice B B Chouhan and Justice B N Mohapatra said while adjudicating a PIL.

Schools run by missionaries in the state remained closed to protest the gunning down of Saraswati as also the violence triggered by it.