Bhubaneswar: A 13-member diplomatic
delegation from the European Union is likely to visit Orissa's
Kandhamal district next month, official sources said.
The state government which was initially reluctant to
allow the diplomats to visit the communally fragile district,
however, gave its nod after the Centre recommended it, they
said.
The state government has put a condition on the visit.
"Though they will be allowed to interact with the
people, it should not be like a fact finding mission," a
senior official at the home department said.
Besides meeting the people, the diplomats would hold
discussions with the district administration. The district
police would provide security to them.
The team could study the socio-economic situation at the ground level, he said. The date of the visit was yet to
decided.
Though diplomats of five European countries had
visited the state last November, they were not given
permission to visit Kandhamal district.
-PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 22:11