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Security stepped up in Kandhamal district

BERHAMPUR: Security has been stepped up in the communally-volatile Kandhamal district in south Orissa before the Christmas. Apart from security measures, the district administration has also initiated enhancing communal amity in the rural pockets of the district through peace committees. Kandhamal Collector Krishan Kumar and its Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepak Kumar said they were making all efforts ensure peace during the Christmas festivities.

Policemen have been deployed at all strategic locations of the district which have past history of communal violence. Added to it there would be intensified police patrolling in all areas during the period.

It may be noted that in 2007 communal violence erupted in the district just before Christmas following a clash over an arcade at Brahmanigaon. In 2008, communal violence got repeated in the district. This time it was sparked off by the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and his four associates on August 23, 2008. The Christmas time had become tense in Kandhamal district and Orissa last year due to a bandh call by Sangh Parivar on the day of Christmas. Later they had called off the bandh.

The administration and the police want to take no chances. All entry and exit points of the district are under strict vigil to check entry of miscreants into the district. There is special watch on the naxal-infested areas of the district as it was alleged that naxalites had killed the VHP leader last year to spark off the communal violence.

The district administration convened a peace committee meeting at Phulbani for the cooperation of citizens for peaceful celebration of Christmas. This meeting was attended by leaders of all religious communities, local political leaders and officials. As per the administration such meetings are also being convened at block level to ensure amity in all areas. Such peace meetings are being held in the district regularly during past one year especially before religious festivities.

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