25 Sep :Keeping in view the continuing incidents of violence against the members of a minority community in Kandhamal district, the Central Government has asked the Orissa govt. to take effective, focussed and firm measures to stop the violence and restore peace and normalcy.
In a communication sent by the Union Home Secretary, Shri Madhukar Gupta today, the Centre has asked the State Government to take measures including identification and apprehension of the elements who continue to stoke communal violence and hatred and indulge in disruptive activities. The message says that repeated incidents of violence which indicate that anti-social elements continue to be active is a matter of serious concern and cannot be allowed to continue.
The Centre has called for stringent action against all those who may already have been arrested for violence etc. to bring them to justice. Precautionary and preventive measures, including patrolling of vulnerable areas are also necessary. The Central Government has asked the State govt. to review the situation and action taken by the law enforcement agencies and issue strict instructions to all concerned to ensure that the prevailing situation of lawlessness in some areas of the State is effectively brought under control. The State Govt. has been asked to ensure that the 43 companies of Central Para Military forces made available to the State Govt. are effectively deployed and utilised, as there is a considerable scope for optimization of deployment and the use of these forces.
The Centre has asked for a detailed report from the State Govt. in this regard.