Phulbani : The communally sensitive Kandhamal district was today put under high security blanket as the members of the VHP assembled there to observe the death anniversary of Swami Laxamananda Saraswati, whose killing had sparked a large scale riot in the area in 2008.
In the memorial meeting presided over by the VHP district unit president Kamadab Pradhan and attended by many others including Saraswati’s successor Swami Sachidananda Maharaj criticised the Odisha government for not arresting all those involved in the killing.
At least 44 persons were killed, about 4,800 houses burnt or damaged leaving about 20,000 people homeless during the riot that broke out immediately after Saraswati’s killing on the night of Janmastami (August 23, 2008). The riot continued for about a fortnight.
The district administration made elborate security arrangement by deploying 21 platoons (1 plattoon comprises 30 personnel) of armed forces in addition to two companies of CRPF and other security forces, Business Standard reported.
Besides the district headquarters of Phulbani, forces have been mobilised at Chakapad, Jalespeta and other vulnerable places, Arjun Barik DSP said.