The 11-member EU delegation held a marathon 90-minute discussion with senior police officers at the state police headquarters in Cuttack.
The Orissa government today claimed it had earned praise from a visiting delegation of European Union (EU) diplomats for ensuring peace during Christmas and New Year celebrations in the last two years in Kandhamal district, the scene of communal violence in 2007.
"The EU diplomats have thanked the state government for peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year's Day by the
minority community in Kandhamal and other places," director general of police Manmohan Praharaj told reporters here after
a meeting with EU delegation.
The 11-member delegation, which arrived here last night amidst protests from Sangh Parivar members, held a marathon 90-minute discussion with the DGP and other senior police officers at the state police headquarters in Cuttack.
The delegation is scheduled to visit Kandhamal tomorrow. The DGP said adequate security would be in place when the diplomats visit the riot-hit district.
While the Sangh Parivar suspected the intention of the delegation's visit, chief minister Naveen Patnaik found nothing amiss. He said, "They are on a short visit to the state. The diplomats will see construction work and other developmental activities being taken up in Kandhamal."
Christopher Manep, a member of the EU delegation, told reporters that they were "satisfied with the discussion held with the Orissa police."
Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar diocese, Rapheal Cheenath said the tour by the diplomats would in no way affect peace in Kandhamal.
"Both Central and the state government have allowed the diplomats' visit to Kandhamal after a lot of considerations," he said, adding they would directly meet riot-affected people instead of going by hearsay.
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