Police prevented the entry of a a group of senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal leaders from visiting Kandhamal on Friday 17th of October. The VHP's all India joint general secretary Shyamji Gupta, state secretary Gauri Prasad Rath and Bajrang Dal national convenor Subash Chouhan were among those prevented from visiting Kandhamal, police said. Later they were driven out of the district.

'When the administration and the government are allowing leaders of Christian organisations and political parties to hold marches and allowing them to visit parts of the district, it is unfortunate that they prevented us,' Bajrang Dal leader Subash Chouhan said.

A senior police official said the leaders were prevented from entering Kandhamal as the situation is not conducive for them to go there.

According to Govt. reports 40 people were killed and thousands of homes burnt in the district during the violence. More than 20,000 people, mainly Christians, have taken shelter in relief camps. On Aug 23, VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides were killed by unknown gun men at his Jaleshpata ashram in Kandhamal.

More than 600 people, including activists of the Bajrang Dal, have been arrested for involvement in the violence.

On the other hand the district administration of Kandhamal has lifted curfew from four towns namely Raikia, Tumudibandha, Blaiguda and Phulabani as there were no incidents of violence in the district for last few days.

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