The Missionaries of Charity has been assured by the Orissa government of strong measures being taken in troubled Kandhamal, its Superior General, Sister Nirmala said today.

"The situation is not good at all, but the state government has started taking strong measures," Sister Nirmala said.

She hoped that the state administration would continue to work to contain the violence.

During her talks with the Chief Minister, she said, they talked about the need for return of peace in tribal-dominated Kandhamal.

The violence there has claimed at least 35 lives and houses and churches were burnt after the killing of the VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on the night of August 23.

Asked whether she had faith in the Orissa government, she said, "I have faith. Having faith encourages one to do good work."

On the allegations by some Hindu organisations that Christians had engineered the attack on Saraswati, Sister Nirmala said it was the work of the police to find the truth.

"That is for the the police in Orissa to ascertain. Truth must prevail," she said.

The nun who was allegedly gangraped during the Orissa bandh on August 25 and was missing would return to the state if there was a proper atmosphere, she said in reply to a question.

She also said that she had asked the chief minister to restore confidence among the Christians taking shelter in relief camps since the outbreak of the violence.

"They are unsafe now and cannot return to their villages out of fear," she said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "I have explained to Sister Nirmala in detail about the steps taken by the state."

Stating that his government was making efforts to restore peace in Kandhamal, Patnaik said the crime branch of the police had arrested three persons allegedly involved in the killing of the VHP leader and four others.