EU team visits Kandhamal camp

After being denied permission earlier,an 11-member European Union EU team on Thursday toured riot-affected Kandhamal district on Thursday. During the 2008 riots,the Orissa government had twice refused permission for an EU delegation to visit the trouble-torn district.

Diplomats from Spain,Hungary,Poland,Ireland,Italy,Netherlands,UK,Finland and Sweden headed by European Commission counsellor head of political affairs Christophe Manet spoke to people in Nandagiri rehabilitation camp,where at least 52 riot affected families are staying,said a senior district official. Events in Kandhamal had its impact in Europe. Our visit is a reflection of the concern, a member of the team said.

The EU diplomats thanked the state for peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Years Day in Kandhamal and other places, DGP M M Praharaj said on Wednesday.

Cuttack-Bhubaneswar diocese Archbishop Raphael Cheenath told the delegation that normalcy would return only once the displaced people go back to their homes and feel safe.