Laxmanananda Saraswati's death anniv held amid tight security

The tenth death anniversary of slain Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Laxmanananda Saraswati was observed amid tight security and high alert in Odisha's sensitive Kandhamal district on Sunday, police said.

Elaborate security arrangements were made in the entire district since Saturday, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Pratik Singh said.

About 20 platoons (each platoon comprises around 30 personnel) of armed forces were deployed in sensitive places including the ashrams at Jalespeta and Chakapad founded by the slain VHP leader, he said.

Saraswati and his four disciples were killed by armed assailants at his ashram at Jalespeta when the inmates were busy celebrating Janmastami on the night of August 23, 2008.

In the aftermath of Saraswati's killing, Kandhamal and neighbouring areas were rocked by widespread violence and riots. Many places of worship and prayer halls and houses were damaged and torched during the riots which claimed the lives of several people.

The slain leader was remembered during a host of programmes both at Jalesleta and Chakalada. Many VHP leaders participated in the day-long memorial event to pay tribute to Saraswati, said VHP leader Priyanath Sharma.

VHP leaders have accused the Odisha government of failing to nab the real killers of Saraswati and attacking it for not making public the reports of two inquiry commissions that probed the riots that shook Kandhamal.