Although no incident was reported from Kandhamal district of Orissa on Thursday, more than 100 houses were burnt down in the neighbouring Boudh district.
Police, however, claimed that the attacks in Kandhamal block of Boudh during the early hours of the day was not communal in nature, but ethnic in which Kondh tribals attacked houses of Dalit Panas.
Director General of Police (DGP) Manmohan Praharaj said security forces were being sent to Kandhamal.
The administration was expecting a backlash in Kandhamal following the arrest of 45 persons, including some leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Kui Samaj, on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, there was no protest till Thursday evening. Meanwhile, the DGP visited several riot-hit areas of Kandhamal, including G. Udayagiri and Raikia blocks, to assess the situation.
In another development, curfew was relaxed in nine towns of Kandhamal district from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The district administration, however, cancelled a district level peace rally which was to be held at Phulbani, the district headquarters town of Kandhamal.
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