Bhubaneswar, Sept 4 : Orissa is slowly returning to normalcy as banks, shops, business establishments, schools and other offices are opened on Thursday following the lifting of day curfew in Jeypur town of Koraput District.

The day curfew has been lifted after four days as situation has improved. The vehicular traffic from the district headquarters of Koraput and Jeypur has resumed.

According to official sources, no fresh violence or untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the district for the last three days.

New Delhi, Sept 3 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said that he fully understood the anguish expressed by many people over the violent incidents in Orissa and said the Centre is monitoring the situation in the State.

The Prime Minister was replying to a letter from Sister Nirmala of the Missionaries of Charity. He said it has been emphasised to the state authorities that every step must be taken to restore normalcy.

Bhubaneshwar, Sep 3 : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today reviewed the situation in Kandhamal at a meeting held at Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, senior officials and leaders of political parties.

Patil also toured some of the worst-affected areas and relief centres in Kandhamal, official sources said.

Under attack for prohibiting outsiders from visiting Kandhamal, the state government on Wednesday lifted restrictions on entry into the district. Senior BJP leaders are likely to visit Kandhamal on Thursday.

Bhubaneswar, Sep 3: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will arrive in Orissa today for an on the spot assessment of the situation in the violence-hit areas of the State.

During his visit, Patil will discuss the situation with the representatives of the State government in Bhubaneswar. Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal also visited the State recently.

The Union Home Secretary and other senior officers of the Home Ministry have been in close touch with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior officers of the State.

Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 : Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday termed the communal riots following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, as an unfortunate incident.

Stating that the people of the state had a long record of being peaceful, secular and tolerant to all faiths, Patnaik told reporters the riots were “an unfortunate occurrence during the eight-and-a-half years of my government.”

New Delhi, Sep 2 : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will be visiting Orissa on Wednesday for an on the spot assessment of the situation in the violence-hit areas of the State.

He will also discuss the situation with the representatives of the State government in Bhubaneswar. Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal also visited the State recently.

The Union Home Secretary and other senior officers of the Home Ministry have been in close touch with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior officers of the State.