Police are visible all over and many of the 250 families in the village -- 170 of them are Christians -- say the incident was ``instigated.'' Only recently, a dispute had arisen over a cross painted on the Khamari hillock in the village. Since 1972, this hillock has served as a place where both communities gather during religious occasions. Sometime ago, someone painted a trishul and some ``deity figures'' partially covering the cross. There was some initial resentment and Christians say their sentiments were hurt but there were no signs of any confrontation.

Last month, a meeting was convened between the two communities following which the Christians are said to have agreed that on March 15, theywould get the painted cross erased. Meanwhile, a meeting of Hindu tribals was reportedly held at Gadar village near Ranalai and the Christians, anticipating trouble, informed the police to be present.

While four policemen were deployed in the village on Tuesday noon, about 1,500 tribals from nearby villages reportedly reached the hillock, erased the cross and lit a fire. This drove the Christians in the village out of their houses and the tribals closed in.

Soon there was a clash, shots from country-made firearms were fired, bombs were hurled and Christian houses were torched. When R Udayagiri BDO, the circle inspector of police and the block chairman rushed to the village, they were attacked by angry Christians and later rescued by other villagers.

A case has been registered and 26 tribals were arrested for the arson and based on the FIR lodged by the local police, two Christians have also been arrested. All have been sent to the Paralakhemundi jail.

Meanwhile, the National Minorities Commission inNew Delhi has urgently sought a report on the incidents from the State Government and urged that it be sent within two days.

Expressing his exasperation at the unabated incidents of violence against the minorities, NCM Chairman Tahir Mahmood said recurring incidents of ``anti-minority violence do not just let us catch our breath.'' An NCM member was also directed to speak to the Chief Secretary, Orissa, regarding the incidents and to ascertain the situation prevailing now.