Central forces finally withdrawn from Kandhamal

The two weeks extension of paramilitary forces in riot-ravaged Kandhamal has come to an end. The withdrawal was scheduled for July 13.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had agreed to retain the forces for two weeks from June 30 after Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik expressed apprehensions over the security and lives of affected Christians in the tribal district.

On Monday, the last batch of forces was withdrawn leaving the trouble-torn district in the hands of state police and Orissa Special Armed Police.

During last year's anti-Christian violence, as many as 53 companies (nearly 5300 personnel) of central forces had been deployed in Kandhamal. The number was subsequently reduced after violence came to a halt and several thousands returned to their villages.

The forces were to be completely withdrawn by May. But with several pleas from the state government, the MHA agreed to retain the forces till June-end.

The chief minister, however, is still an unhappy man as he desperately wanted the forces to continue for the next three months, keeping in mind the adequate security Christians need during the rebuilding of houses and churches in the district.

Patnaik said he was 'shocked' by the pulling of forces especially as thousands of Christians dwell in state-run relief camps, waiting to return to their villages. The Centre should wait at least "till the Christians return to their villages" and "life returns to normalcy", he said.