Subdued Christmas in shadow of Mumbai attacks, Orissa riots

New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) Midnight masses and special
prayers for terror victims Thursday marked a much-subdued
Christmas across the country observed in the shadow of the
deadly Mumbai attacks and anti-Christian riots in Orissa.

Amid apprehensions of renewed violence and tight security
arrangements, thousands of Christians in Kandhamal and other
parts of Orissa held midnight masses that went off peacefully.
The riot victims housed in camps performed their rituals
without any untoward incident.

However, there were reports of road blockades from three
places in Kandhamal. Central para-military forces, state armed
force and local police personnel were deployed in strength in
the district and nearby areas.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had Wednesday spoken to
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and offered assistance to
maintain peace in areas scarred by riots after the killing of
VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati in August. Hindutva
outfits had called a bandh Thursday against the "failure" of
the state government to nab the killers but later called it
off.

In Mumbai, Christians observed the festival in a sombre
mood, praying for the victims of the November 26 attacks. It
was low-key affair in most of the churches while plush hotels
saw dip in bookings and cancellation of Christmas parties.

While some schools in the city celebrated Christmas, some
others refrained. A school in suburban Santacruz telecast a
documentary 'Spirit of Mumbai' to all the students.

The mood was more festive in the national capital as well
as in Kerala and the north-eastern states.

The faithful thronged churches in Delhi for special mass.
Church yards and houses were decorated with Christmas trees,
stars and cribs depicting the scene of Jesus Christ's birth.

The people, dressed in their holiday best, turned out in
good numbers in markets, shopping malls and tourist spots.

In Tamil Nadu, the famous churches like Velankanni in
Nagapattinam district and the Besant Nagar, Armenian Street
and Santhome churches in Chennai bustled with activity.

Special midnight prayers were held in churches across
Kerala. Major Archbishop of Malankara Catholic Church Baselios
Cleemis led the mass service at the St Mary's Cathedral while
Archbishop of Latin Catholic Diocese M Susaipakiyam led the
prayers at the St Joseph Cathedral, Palayam.

Exchange of greetings, gifts, family get-together,
merrymaking, visits to friends and relatives and community
feasts marked the celebration in the predominantly Christian
state of Nagaland.

Ao Naga community in the capital town of Kohima organised
the celebration at a local ground as their church could not
accommodate the large crowd. PTI team
DEP
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