PC calls up Naveen for safe Christmas

BHUBANESWAR: Union home minister P Chidambaram rang up Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday to enquire about the security measures taken to prevent any untoward incident during Christmas in Kandhamal and other parts of Orissa. The call sent the state administration in an overdrive and it decided to sent Orissa DGP Manmohan Praharaj to Kandhamal on Thursday to personally supervise the security arrangements there. Praharaj will also visit Sambalpur where a church was attacked and a Hindu girl burnt to death during an Orissa bandh called to protest VHP leader Swami Laxmanananada Saraswati’s murder.

The Centre has sent a chopper from Ranchi to enable surveillance operation in Orissa.
Soon after Chidambaram’s call, Orissa chief secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy convened a high-level meeting to review security measures before briefing the chief minister. The state government has asked all district collectors not to leave headquarters on Christmas. All 38 companies of police force, including Rapid Action Force, have been deployed in troubled parts of Kandhamal. Home secretary Padhi said security has been tightened in 30 churches there. He also assured Christian leaders all security for midnight mass on Thursday.

“We have taken all security measures to ensure a happy Christmas. Midnight mass can take place tonight,” state home secretary AP Padhi said.