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Tight security for Danda Nata festival

BERHAMPUR: Danda Nata festivities are on in Kandhamal district amidst tight security. Areas of this district witnessed communal violence in December last.

As the situation had improved the administration and police allowed processions and festivities related to Danda Nata to continue even in areas worst hit by violence like Baliguda.

These festivities started on March 31 and would continue till April 14.

At Baliguda the local Panchudanda Committee has organised ‘Ekabinsa Sambhu Milan’.

Twentyone deities from local Shiva and Kali temples reached this small town for the celebrations.

Thousands from nearby villages also thronged Baliguda to take part in the festivities.

Many villagers had come out of their villages for the first time after the communal violence in December. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were also deployed in the area.

Rajkishor Das, president of the Panchudanda management committee of Baliguda, said they were trying hard to get back to the past state of communal amity at Baliguda.

Muhammad Yusuf Sharif, a trader of Baliguda who never misses to enjoy the opera shows, which are part of Danda Nata festival, said this festival had brought some respite to minds of localities, who were overburdened by the tension of communal violence and the long period of curfew that followed.

Mr Sharif said “like earlier years this year also no one is selling non vegetarian food items at Baliguda during the 13-day long Danda Nata festival, which speaks of the communal amity that still lives among us.”

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