The Centre on Wednesday prodded the Orissa government to maintain law and order and ensure the safety and security during Christmas celebrations, the Center’s appeal came as members of the minority community continued to remain apprehensive over their safety and that of their places of worship.
Earlier several organizations had called for a statewide shutdown to press for the arrest of those responsible for the assassination of noted anti-conversion activist and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati.
According to a statement, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on two occasions, saying the situation in Orissa had been engaging the attention of the Centre in the last two weeks.
The State government has arrested seven people in connection with the murder and had also been able to persuade Right wing organisations to withdraw the bandh call.
“The Chief Minister has also assured me that there will be no bandh on December 25,” the Home Minister said. He asked the chief minister to keep him informed of the developments and offered him further assistance, if required.
Chidambaram appealed to the people of Orissa to maintain peace and harmony among different communities. “Christmas is celebrated in many countries of the world, including India, as a day of joy, happiness and peace. I am confident that the government of Orissa will ensure that December 25, 2008 and the days following will be marked by peace and harmony,” he said.
The Centre, according to a statement, has provisioned central forces to assist the State government maintain law and order. Apart from 24 companies of Central Reserve Police Force deployed on a long-term basis, the Centre sent dispatched an additional 49 companies of CRPF and 4 Rapid Action Force companies.
On Wednesday, the Centre provided the State a helicopter for patrolling over the communally sensitive Kandhamahal and Sambhalpur districts.
Earlier several organizations had called for a statewide shutdown to press for the arrest of those responsible for the assassination of noted anti-conversion activist and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati.
According to a statement, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on two occasions, saying the situation in Orissa had been engaging the attention of the Centre in the last two weeks.
The State government has arrested seven people in connection with the murder and had also been able to persuade Right wing organisations to withdraw the bandh call.
“The Chief Minister has also assured me that there will be no bandh on December 25,” the Home Minister said. He asked the chief minister to keep him informed of the developments and offered him further assistance, if required.
Chidambaram appealed to the people of Orissa to maintain peace and harmony among different communities. “Christmas is celebrated in many countries of the world, including India, as a day of joy, happiness and peace. I am confident that the government of Orissa will ensure that December 25, 2008 and the days following will be marked by peace and harmony,” he said.
The Centre, according to a statement, has provisioned central forces to assist the State government maintain law and order. Apart from 24 companies of Central Reserve Police Force deployed on a long-term basis, the Centre sent dispatched an additional 49 companies of CRPF and 4 Rapid Action Force companies.
On Wednesday, the Centre provided the State a helicopter for patrolling over the communally sensitive Kandhamahal and Sambhalpur districts.
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