One more person was killed in Raikia block after Dalit Christians of Gundhari village hurled bombs at the tribal-dominated village of Sirsapanga in the afternoon. Sources said the deceased, Raghav Digal, a Dalit Hindu, was a Government employee.

In New Delhi, a senior Home Ministry official described the situation in Orissa as “pretty bad”, something that required the state government to take “very tough measures”. In its communication to the state, the Home Ministry said a “situation of apparent lawlessness” prevailed in certain parts of the state and asked it to “review” the steps that have so far been taken by the law enforcement agencies.

Strict instructions should be issued to all concerned to ensure that the prevailing situation of apparent lawlessness in some areas is brought under control,” it said.