Blockades back on Kodala roads

BERHAMPUR: Despite district administration’s efforts to restore normalcy, a palpable tension prevailed at Kodala. Even after withdrawal of forces and lifting of curfew, many youths, who had fled to escape arrest, remained underground.Though the administration had cleared blockades at several places, boulders and trees were back on the roads on Wednesday.There has been no traffic movement between Kodala and Aska since July 13.Schools too remained closed with the villagers still adamant on shifting of families of Eregola community from Kodala.  Peace committees have also failed to serve the purpose with villagers demanding dropping of police cases against 63 persons.Meanwhile, the administration has sent mobile health teams to remote and inaccessible villages and handed over cheques of ` 2 lakh each to the families of Narayana Polai of Khajapali and Ganduahak of Mathaberhampur, who had died in the police firing. It is also bearing the expenses of the four injured, undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical.The scotching of rumours about shifting families of Eregola community to Buguda and Khallikote has somewhat eased tension in these areas.  District Collector Kishan Kumar had termed the rumours as baseless on Tuesday.