PHULBANI:25 Dec 2007

Curfew was on Tuesday clamped in four major towns of Orissa's Kandhamala district after one person was killed and at least 24 others injured during a VHP-sponsored bandh in protest against alleged attack on an anti-conversion leader.

"Following largescale violence, we have imposed curfew in district headquarters town of Phulbani, Baliguda, Daringibadi and Brahmanigaon to prevent further flare up", Revenue Divisional Commissioner (southern division) Satyabrata Sahu said. Expressing concern over the violence on Christmas day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony.

A youth was killed in mob violence at Barakhamba, a senior police officer said, adding he was yet to be identified. The details were not yet known. At least six churches were attacked, some set on fire, and a minister's residences were attacked, two police outposts and a police vehicle set on fire in the mayhem in different parts of the district since last night following the alleged attack.

"The situation is tense but under control. We are keeping a close watch," the official said.

By Shamsheer (TofI)