The situation in the riot-hit Bhadrak town is fast returning to normal. The curfew, which was re-imposed on Wednesday, was relaxed for 10 hours on Thursday till 5 pm.
District Collector Gyana Ranjan Das said the curfew was relaxed for 10 hours due to the improvement in the situation.
Meanwhile, officials on the day began assessing the damages in the town, where traders suffered huge losses due to the widespread
communal violence.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, during his visit to the town on Wednesday, had promised the victims to compensate their losses. He had directed the officials to make an assessment of the damages and submit a report within three days for providing financial aid to the affected people to resume their livelihoods again.
Meanwhile, the bus services which had resumed from Wednesday functioned normally. Schools, colleges, banks and other offices, business establishments remained open, providing relief to the residents. However, the paramilitary and police forces continued to maintain vigil to prevent any untoward incident.
On Thursday, BJP State president Basanta Panda visited Bhadrak, went round the riot-struck areas and talked to residents of both Hindu and Muslim communities.