MHA sends county-wide advisory to ensure peace during Christmas

The Centre has sent a country-wide advisory asking authorities to enhance vigil and security to ensure peace ahead of Christmas and New Year in lieu of threats in some areas against celebrating the festivals.

In an advisory to all the states, the Union Home Ministry said there will be large gatherings in public places during the festivities and security needs to be tightened to ensure peace is not disrupted.

The state administrations have been advised to take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful celebrations, including effective crowd control and maintenance of law and order.

States have also been asked to deploy adequate forces in malls, religious places, markets, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, etc, so that any attempt to disrupt peace can be foiled, a Home Ministry official said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said on Saturday that steps should be taken to ensure law and order is maintained during Christmas celebrations and wished the nation on the occasion.

"Any festival, whether it is Christmas, Ramzan, Holi or Diwali, should be celebrated without any problems.

"Strict action would be taken if anyone tries to create ruckus during the festivals," he had said.