Phulbani (Orissa), December 25
Curfew was imposed in four towns after a youth was killed and six churches and a minister’s houses were targeted today in large-scale communal violence and arson in Orissa’s Kandhamal district following an attack on a VHP leader who led an anti-conversion movement.

A youth was killed and 25 were injured in violence at Barakhamba, a senior police officer said, adding he was yet to be identified.

At least six churches, mostly built in thatched houses, have been either ransacked or the vacant premises set on fire since last night as tension built up in the area, revenue divisional commissioner Satyabrata Sahu said.

Two police outposts and a police vehicle were set on fire, he said.

“Following the large-scale violence, we have imposed curfew in district headquarters town of Phulbani, Baliguda, Daringibadi and Brahmanigaon to prevent further flare up,” Sahu said.

Unconfirmed reports said 12 churches were targeted and additional forces deployed in sensitive pockets of the district where of the total 6.50 lakh population, more than one lakh belonged to Christian community.

The violence, which began at Brahmanigaon village under the Daringbadi area yesterday, gradually spread to other parts of the district with miscreants attacking two houses of steel and mines minister Padmanabha Behera at Phiringia and Nuapadar villages, 10 km from here.

Meanwhile, 187 believers were converted to Hinduism at a function organised by the VHP today.

Of the total 187, 103 males and the rest women from 82 families were converted to Hinduism at a religious function at Chikita village in Sundergarha district. — PTI, UNI