Prohibitory orders clamped in Orissa's Kandhamal district

Authorities in Orissa have imposed prohibitory orders in parts of the troubled Kandhamal district to thwart a rally planned by tribals.

Authorities in Orissa have imposed prohibitory orders in parts of the troubled Kandhamal district on Monday to thwart a rally planned by tribals.

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The Kui Kalyan Samittee had planned a massive rally at Parampanga village to protest alleged police atrocities against innocent tribals.

"We have clamped prohibitory orders in Daringbadi area and banned the rally as it may flare up tension in the region," a district police official told IANS.

Prohibitory orders clamped under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) bans gathering of four or more people at one place.

Kandhamal district, some 200 km from Bhubaneswar, witnessed widespread communal violence following the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23.

While police blamed Maoists for the murder, local Hindu leaders alleged Christians were behind it and launched attacks against the community.

The violence left at least 38 people dead and thousands of Christian had to flee their homes to escape the rampaging mobs. While some have returned to their homes, more than 10,000 are still living in government-run relief camps in the district.