Phulbhani-Kandhamal

A "peace meeting" was held today at district headquarters. It was chaired by the collector. All senior civil and police officials were present. The district level meeting was preceeded by block-level and panchayat-level meetings. It was important because it was held against the back-drop to "Kandhamal bandh" from 24 to 27 Dec, called by 'kui samaj' . The district administration had tried to persuade leaders of kui samaj to defer dates of Christmas. But Lambodar Kanhar, self styled leader of kandho tribe, refused to relent and declared that bandh will be enforced from 24 to 27 Dec. Christians, in particular those in small numbers especially in far villages are in panic. They fear repeat of rots of 2007 and 2008.  read more »