Tuesday, January 3 2006 12:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kalinga Nagar: A tense situation continued to prevail in this upcoming industrial hub following the clash between tribals and police in which 13 persons were killed.

Several hundred tribals, who had obstructed the Daitari- Paradip express highway with four bodies yesterday (Jan 02, 2006), continued the sit-in at Madhuban crossing, official sources said.

Confirming that 13 persons including a police havildar were killed in yesterday's incident, Jajpur district collector Saswat Mishra said the four bodies, which were still with the tribals, were of Gobinda Laguri of Damiagotha village, Sudam Barla of Belahuri village, Janga Jarika of Damiagotha village and Deogi Tiria of Champakoila village.

Mishra said that though the administration tried to hold negotiation with the tribals, they had spurned all such offers.

The clash between villagers opposing a steel project and the police yesterday had also left 17 others injured.

Stating that the situation continued to be tense, the district collector said, "The administration is maintaining a close watch on the situation".

Curfew, which had been imposed in several parts of the industrial town, had been lifted this morning, Mishra said.

The agitated tribals had also blocked the highway at Gobarghati village while opposition Congress activists had resorted to road blockades at four places; Jajpur Road, Tomka, Sukinda and Danagadi.

The tribals, while asserting that no one would be willing to part with homestead or agricultural land for industrialisation of the area, demanded that the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should come to the spot and discuss with them.

The tribals were also demanding a compensation of at least Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the victims who were killed in yesterday's police firing.

They also demanded action against the district collector and superintendent of police "holding them responsible for the incident".

Revenue divisional commissioner Nikunja Sundarray and IG police (law and order) BB Mishra were camping at the site of the incident.

Meanwhile, a team of opposition leaders led by leader of opposition JB Patnaik left Bhubaneswar for Kalinga Nagar for an on-the-spot study of the situation.

OGP chief Bijoy Mohapatra and several other opposition leaders had also left for Kalinga Nagar.