CRPF withdrawn from Kandhamal

BHUBANESWAR: In a major development, the last batch of central forces deployed in trouble-torn Kandhamal district was withdrawn on Wednesday, according to Kandhamal district collector Krishan Kumar.

The last batch of four companies of CRPF (400 personnel) deployed in Raikia and G.Udayagiri finally moved out of the district on Wednesday.

Rakia and G Udayagir were the worst-hit in last year���s sectarian violence in the district. "With Wednesday���s CRPF withdrawal, the pullout exercise of all central forces deployed in the district was completed," Mr Kumar said.

At least 52 companies of CRPF were deployed in the district after riots broke out following the killing Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a noted Hindu seer, on August 23, 2008. As many as 48 companies of para-military forces had already been withdrawn in phases in the last few months as the district slowly limped back to normalcy, the collector informed, adding, the Central forces had been replaced by Orissa State Armed Police force in sensitive areas of the district.

Meanwhile, around 300 people, on Wednesday left the relief camps opened at three places in the district to give shelter to riot-affected families of their villages. There are about 1200 people still living in the relief camps.

In yet another development, a Phulbani fast track court on Tuesday convicted a person for his involvement in the Kandhamal riots.

Chakradhar Mallick of Daringibari in the district, who was arrested on charges of arson and other cases, was awarded two years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000. Mallick happens to be the first person to be convicted in a case relating to Kandhamal violence.