Four companies of central paramilitary forces posted in Orissa's Kandhamal district following communal violence last year were withdrawn on Wednesday, an official said. They were the last of the central forces posted there to keep the peace.

"The deployment date of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel was up to June 30. They have now been withdrawn," Inspector General of Police Arun Sarangi SAID, adding that an adequate number of state police personnel have replaced them.