Security tightened in Kandhamal ahead of Christmas festivities

Berhampur: Security has been tightened in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district ahead of Christmas on Thursday.“A total of 27 platoons of forces along with 85 police officers have been deployed in sensitive areas, while checking of vehicles is being carried out across the district,” said SP (Kandhamal), Harish B C.“Police forces have been deployed in some of the identified churches, located in sensitive areas, while mobile patrolling has been intensified,” said the SP. Anti-Maoist operation was also carried out in several vulnerable areas on the occasion, while security forces were alerted to keep watch on the movement of rebels, police said.Police also staged flag march in different areas. “A special drive has been launched to curb alcohol consumption in the open and other unlawful activities for the past some days,” the SP said.A district-level peace committee meeting was held at Phulbani, recently where collector Ved Bhushan, the SP and different religious leaders and other organisations attended. Peace committee meetings were also held under each police station.Bhushan has appealed to all sections to maintain peace and cooperate with the administration for an incident-free Christmas and New Year. The district, having a sizeable Christian population, had witnessed riots after the assassination of senior VHP member Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on Aug 23, 2008, and his four disciples.Churches and prayer houses across the district are decorated with lights and stars, with boys and girls practising choral singing.