Communal Riots in Kandhamal: Two killed, over 50 injured

Kandhamal is on boil yet again. This time the communal riots reached its zenith, as it was related to passion and emotion of common people after the killing of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on Saturday night. At least two people have been killed and over 50 injured in clashes between Hindu and Christians in several parts of Kandhamal.

Over 200 houses, religious places, prayer houses and educational institutions have been set on fire. The police is yet to reach some communal-hit villages, as villagers have blocked the roads with huge wooden logs. Although violent incidents have been reported from several parts of the state, Kandhamal is worst affected. People defied curfew and took law into their hands. Phulbani, Tumudibandh, Tikabali, Tingia and Baliguda witnessed widespread violence in the past two days. The CRPF and RAF staged flag march in several areas of Kandhamal. Curfew continued to be in force entire Kandhamal district.

Violence spread to other parts of districts and the district administration is finding it tough to control the situation. The BJD government is in a tight spot, as its coalition partner BJP has turned against the government and has offered its tacit support to Sangh Parivar activists, who have unleashed a war against the minority Christians aftermath murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. If the government does not take a tough stance to deal with the current, it may turn ugly over the next few days.