Centre speaks to Orissa govt on law and order during Christmas

New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) With tensions still simmering in
communally sensitive Kandhamal district in the eastern Indian
coastal state of Orissa, Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram
Wednesday made it clear to Orissa Government that it was its
responsibility to maintain law and order during Chirstmas and
days following it.

In a signed statement, Chidambaram, who spoke to Orissa
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said the Union government was
in constant touch with the state government and offered the
Chief Minister further assistance to maintain peace.

Ever since the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati in August, Kandhamal had
witnessed large-scale violence against Christians in the
district and elsewhere in the state. Hindutva outfits in the
state had called for a bandh Thursday against the "failure" of
the state Government to nab the killers. The bandh was later
called off.

Chidambaram, who spoke to Patnaik Wednesday, said "I have
impressed upon him that it is the responsibility of the state
government to maintain law and order and protect the lives of
all sections of people in the state.

"My appeal to the people of Orissa is 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 Union government has provided a large number
of security personnel to assist the state government in
maintaining law and order.

Apart from 2,400 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)
personnel deployed on a long-term basis in the state, which
witnessed prolonged communal violence, the Central government
has provided an additional 5,300 personnel of CRPF and Rapid
Action Force (RAF), Chidambaram said in a statement.

"Today, the Central government has provided a helicopter
to the state government for patrolling over Kandhamal and
Sambalpur districts," he said and appealed to the people of
the state to maintain peace and harmony among different
communities during the celebrations.

Chidambaram said he has asked the Chief Minister to keep
him informed about the developments and offered further
assistance, if necessary.

The situation in Orissa has been engaging the attention
of the Centre in the last two weeks, he said and added that
the state government has reported that it has arrested seven
persons suspected in the murder of the Swami. PTI SKL
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