In some villages, Hindus have placed saffron flags on the houses of Christian neighbours for their protection, while some Christians themselves put them out of fear.
Saffron flags flutter atop houses on both sides of the roads linking this village to Raikia and Baliguda blocks in Kandhamal district, seven months after the riots targetting Christians.
Banners proclaiming the celebration of 'Hindu Nava Barsa' and 'Panchu Danda Samabesh' (a local tribal festival) are in evidence some yards from the Divya Jyoti Pastoral Centre here.
Divya Jyoti Pastoral Centre was the place where Catholic priest Thomas Chelan and a nun lived for years.
A mob had attacked it during Orissa Bandh on August 25 last year, two days after killing of the VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his associates.
The mob had assaulted the priest and allegedly raped the nun.
It is locked now and a caretaker looks after it.
Seven months have passed since this tribal dominated district was hit by the worst-ever communal violence which claimed at least 43 lives.
The saffron flags on houses are to be seen in plenty as one drives from the district headquarters town of Phulbani to interior areas.
In some villages, Hindus have placed the saffron flags on the houses of their Christian neighbours for their protection, while at some places Christians themselves put them out of fear, villagers said.
"We cannot remove these flags. These saffron flags are a 'rakshya kabach (safeguard) for our houses and property, said Sita Mallick of Raika area. A crucifix around her neck proclaims her religion.
"Praying to my god under the saffron flag does not mean I have changed my faith," the 45-year-old woman says.
Like Sita many prefer not to remove the flags from their houses.
"Who will protect our houses? Can the police guard all our houses?" asked another staying at a the relief camp here.
The local Sangh Parivar leaders do not mind the sprouting of saffron besides the roads.
"What is wrong if saffron flags fly on every house in Kandhamal?" asks a local youth saying that no one was being forced to reconvert.
"Controlling the situation and protecting the life of people is on top of the agenda of the police," said Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Pravin Kumar.
"The situation has been peaceful for over five months now," he added.
Over 40 people were killed in the communal violence in the district last year.
Bhagwan Singh of Piyan village near Bhabhua says," a change is around the corner. Munilal, who earlier cold-shouldered us, has been a regular at even small functions, be it a birth or a funeral in the last five years.
The outcome, those closely watching the electoral scene feel, will depend on how the brahmin voters behave.
Brahmins constitute the biggest chunk of over two lakh votes in Karahgar, Bhabhua and Chenari assembly segments and quite a few are sighted at Mayawati's rallies.
The Dalit Chamar votes are likely to be sharply divided between Meira and Mayawati's party as both belong to the same caste.
The Paswans, another major dalit caste in Bihar, locals feel, will back RJD's Lalan Paswan, considering his party's alliance with Ramvilas Paswan's LJP, but a section of them would also vote for Munilal, himself from that caste.
In a field of 16, Meira's electoral fortune will largely hinge on whether the Brahmins, at least a section of them, go with Mayawati's party or remain loyal to BJP.
If the saffron party loses even a fraction of brahmin votes, it will indirectly boost Meira's chances.
"We are waiting and watching. We want our votes to play a decisive role in the election. We want our voice to be heard in the new establishment after the electoral verdict," says Ramrekha Pathak, emphatically pronouncing his surname that bertays his brahminical lineage.
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