Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said his government would review the situation in Kandhamal before agreeing with the Centre for withdrawal of CRPF from the riot-hit district.

Naveen's decision came after Christian leaders demanded that the CRPF be deployed in the district till the end of general elections scheduled to be held in April-May. The Supreme Court had ordered CRPF deployment till end of the year. "We will again review the situation in Kandhamal in last week of January to decide whether to retain central force for more time," Naveen said. Last week additional DGP Deshraj Meena created a flutter when he said that the CRPF will be shifted from Kandhamal in a phase wise manner from 1st week of January. At present, 38 companies of CRPF are deployed in Kandhamal district. Apart from 24 companies of CRPF deployed on a long-term basis in Orissa, the Centre has provided an additional 49 companies of CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) to the State.

Naveen said his government had already informed the Centre that the central force was required till the end of January as the people living in relief camps were yet to return to their villages. Currently over 8500 people are living in 8 relief camps across the district.