After withdrawing curfew from riot-hit Kandhamal, the district administration has now focused on the safety of refugees.  Refugees sheltering in relief camps will be given full security if they return to their homes, assured the police on Saturday.  

The DG of Orissa police Manmohan Praharaj, who is in Kandhamal to review the situation has asked the refugees not to worry. The refugees were afraid of returning to their villages fearing violence.

Steps are being taken to ensure return of people who fled the district and even left the state in search of livelihood, the DGP told.  

"There will be no indiscriminate arrest and harassment of innocent people by police as the focus is to restore peace and normalcy. The need of the hour is to restore peace and ensure an incident-free atmosphere in Kandhamal." Mr. Praharaj said.

On the other hand two ministers of Orissa govt. have reached Phulabani, the district headquarter of Kandhamal and met people of various groups.

According to official reports 40 people were killed in Kandhamal violence in Orissa. Thousands of houses were damaged and property worth cores was destroyed. Earlier administration had decided to shift relief camps from block headquarters to panchayat level.