Nationalist residents in Belfast have said they are "deeply worried" that a Drumcree-style situation may materialise on the Ormeau Road in July.
They have expressed their determination to prevent any standoff by Orangemen if the parade is blocked.
Two additional Orange district lodges applied yesterday to the Parades Commission to march to the area on July 12th. As in previous years, the Ballynafeigh District No 10 made its application to march down the Lower Ormeau Road, the controversial leg of the parade route.
A ruling from the Parades Commission is expected on the marches five days before the date of the parade. A ruling is expected on the July 4th Drumcree march next Monday.
The Ballynafeigh Orange Lodge District Master, Mr Noel Liggett, denied yesterday that the applications to march into the area by two Orange lodges from Sandy Row and east Belfast would heighten tension.
He said: "The two districts have decided to stay within the law, acting in a responsible manner. They have not applied to walk on the lower part of the Ormeau Road. But if No 10 were to be stopped at the bridge they would act in a responsible manner of parading to support their brethren and keeping their members under a disciplined jurisdiction." However, the nationalist Lower Ormeau Concerned Community said the Orange Order wanted to create another siege situation. "It seems clear that the order's intention is to blockade our community in the same way as they have the Garvaghy Road community," said a statement. A spokesman for the residents, Mr Gerard Rice, said the Orangemen were trying to create a climate of fear.
The Ballynafeigh district has refused to negotiate directly with the residents, offering instead to engage in proximity talks. Residents have said the indirect talks are unacceptable. Meanwhile, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland would not comment yesterday on remarks by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Dr Harold Miller, that the Grand Lodge become the voice of the "moderate majority" with regard to the Drumcree standoff.
A Grand Lodge spokesman said that "at this point in time" the matter was in the hands of the Portadown District Lodge.
The lodge will respond today to a request by Archbishop Robin Eames that Orangemen adhere to three pledges before and after church service at Drumcree.
At the General Synod in May he requested that Orangemen pledge to avoid any action that diminishes the sanctity of worship, show obedience to the law of the land and avoid the use of the property of the Church of Ireland or its environs for any civil protest.
There was further criticism last night of the "Long March", which begins today in Derry and has been billed by organisers as a civil rights march for Protestants. The SDLP described the march as "irresponsible and cynical". Sinn Fein said it was a "march of hatred and shame".