Prohibitory orders at Kandhamal church

Tension prevailed over a function to be organized at the church.

Berhampur:  Prohibitory orders were clamped at a church at Gadaguda village in Kandhamal district of Odisha.

The orders were enforced on Dec. 14.

Tension prevailed in the area over a function to be organized at the church on Dec. 15.

Christians of two adjoining villages, Gadaguda and Phelingia, are at loggerheads for the last two years, claiming rights over the church. The matter is sub-judice.

The dispute between the two villages arose over naming of the church, police said.

People of Gadaguda planned to hold a function at the church, which was strongly opposed by villagers of Phelingia.

"The district administration clamped ban orders at the church to avoid any untoward incident," said police official S S Bariha.

While adequate forces were deployed, there was restriction on entry of people into the church during the period, he said.

The church was damaged during anti-Christian in the district in the aftermath of assassination of VHP leader Swami Laxmananand Saraswati on August 23, 2008.

The church was repaired two years ago.

Source: times of india