Headlines
Ban on Togadia's entry in Odisha's Kandhamal
Bhubaneswar, Feb 26
Authorities in Odisha's
Kandhamal district Thursday banned the proposed entry of Vishva Hindu
Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia on apprehensions that it might
disturb peace in the area.
"He (Togadia) will not be allowed to
enter the district. The ban is valid for next seven days," Kandhamal's
Superintendent of Police Kanwar Vishal Singh told IANS.
Togadia
is scheduled to address a gathering of VHP supporters at Phulbani, the
district headquarters of Kandhamal Saturday. Singh said the organisers
have been however given permission to hold the gathering but without
Togadia.
It was not immediately known if Togadia will visit the district despite the ban.
At
least 38 people were killed and thousands had to flee their homes
following widespread communal violence in the region in 2008 after the
murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
Different
Christian groups earlier this week had moved the local and state
administration seeking a ban on Togadia's proposed visit, saying his
fiery speeches might upset the fragile peace between communities.