No CRPF forces in Kandhamal from next month

From next month, there would be no CRPF forces to guard the Christians in relief camps in the communally sensitive Kandhamal.

According to reports, the Centre has decided to withdraw all para-military forces by the end of this month.

There are total remaining seven of the 42 companies that were deployed in the district in January. Many of the Central forces were withdrawn after violence was curbed in several districts.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier pleaded for the continual of the Central forces till Christians returned to home. However, the proposal was pushed away.

DGP Manmohan Praharaj had also expressed apprehensions over the withdrawal of the forces, as the communal violence that rocked the Kandhamal state still remained a major problem.

However, says Praharaj, as there have been no incidents of violence in six months, the State Government would deploy 16 companies of its own forces. It would include Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP), SOG and other forces.