Peaceful Christmas celebration in Odisha

Christmas was celebrated peacefully across Odisha, including at sensitive Kandhamal district where a 12-hour bandh was observed by a tribal body.
Christmas was celebrated with pomp and gaiety here, in Cuttack, Balasore, Berhampur, Rourkela and other major towns. But normal life was partially hit in Kandhmal in the bandh called by Kui Samaj Samnawya Samiti (KSSS).
Midnight mass, carols, community feasts, visit by Santa Claus were held in Kandhamal on Christmas eve.
The streets of Kandhamal's urban pockets wore a deserted look during the day with shops, business places, banks and restaurants remaining closed. Life in rural areas was, however, normal, district officials said.

The shutdown evoked mixed response at the headquarter town of Phulbani, Tikabali, Chakapada and Phiringia but there was almost no response at Daringbadi, Tumudibandha, Balliguda and Kotagarh blocks, police said.
There was, however, no report of any untoward incident from any corner of Kandhamal, said Sesadev Bariha, sub-divisional police officer of Balliguda said.

"We have deployed sufficient forces to avoid any untoward incidents in the district," Kandhamal superintendent of police K B Singh said.
The police have tightened security and all vehicles entering Kandhamal are being checked. Churches have been provided with security and police patrolling has been intensified, Singh said.

Kandhamal district collector Yamini Sarangi said Christmas was celebrated peacefully across the district.
KSSS had placed 34 demands before the government in 2007. Though some of them have been met, many had been left out, Lambodhar Kanhar, KSSS secretary said adding the bandh was observed demanding fulfillment of all of them.