Preparations In Full Swing For Christmas in Kandhamal Amid Tight Security

Kandhamal: Ahead of the Christmas revelry in the communally sensitive Kandhamal, the district administration is putting in place an elaborate security arrangements to ensure a trouble-free celebration.

While the police has started checking vehicles entering the district, Kandhamal SP Pratik Singh said that as many as 21 platoon of police forces will be deployed on the Christmas day. “Besides police protection forces will be deployed in every area,” he added.

The Baptist and Catholic Churches are being decorated for the occasion, even as people have immersed themselves in the festive mood.

“We have been practicing songs and dances for Christmas. We will celebrate as per the traditions. We have groups here and will organise programmes on that day,” said Suprava Mishra, one of the participants.

On the other hand, Father Nabakishore of Catholic Church in Phulbani said, “we want to celebrate the festival peacefully. We have started decorating the church and pray that this Christmas will bring all the happiness and peace for all the human being.”

The tribal organisation Kui Samaj Samanwaya Samity (KSSS) will celebrate the day as Saheed Dibas at Barkhama, remembering Khageswar Mallick, who was killed in the village on December 25, 2007, in the Kandhamal riots.

“The Christian community will organise Christmas with much fan fare. We will organise memorial meeting, procession on that day and observe Saheed Dibas at Barkhama,” said Lambodhar Kanhar, leader of the KSSS.