New Delhi  - At least eight people, including six children, were killed in an explosion in a village in eastern India as people were making firecrackers ahead of a festival, news reports said Monday.

Two villagers were injured in Sunday's explosion in Balasore district, 230 kilometres north of Orissa's state capital, Bhubaneshwar, the PTI news agency reported.

The blast occurred when people were illegally making firecrackers in a house and some of them caught fire, police told The Statesman daily.

Kandhamal, Sept 27: The day curfew was relaxed today in Raikia town of Kandhamal district of Orissa with the improvement in the situation.

The State Government has decided to deploy armed police in every ten kilometer stretch of major roads to stop road blockades, in the district.

State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will review the law and order situation in the district headquarter town Phulbani later today.

New Delhi, Sept 26 : The National Human Rights Commission has sent its investigation team to look into the issue of the alleged attacks on the Christians in Kandhamal District of Orissa.

The fact finding team is headed by a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The action was taken on the petition filed by Catholic Bishop Conference of India on September 16 seeking protection from violence at the hands of fundamentalists.

The Commission also issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Orissa on the same day to submit a report within two weeks on the issue.

Washington, Sept. 26 : About 100 people, holding placards staged a protest in front of the White House on Thursday to get the attention of visiting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of attacks on Christians in India.

Indians and Americans clustered under a forest of umbrellas, several of those standing in Lafayette Park waved signs such as "Stop the Gang Rape of Nuns" and "Shame on India."

Bhubhaneswar, Sept 26 : The Centre on Friday rushed more para-military forces to riot-hit Kandhamal District of Orissa, where curfew was clamped in nine sensitive areas in the wake of fresh violence on Thursday.

Following a request from State Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, about 700 para-military force personnel were deployed in troubled areas of the district to strengthen security and prevent further flare up.

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi, Sept 26 : Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has demanded more forces from the Central Government to control the situation in Kandhamal district.

"The administration is controlling the situation in Kandhamal district. Every effort is being made for law and order to be maintained. The Central Government has been asked for ten more companies of force in that area," said Patnaik here on Thursday after he reviewed the situation with officials.