PHULBANI: Christmas celebrations in communally-sensitive Kandhamal district were peaceful despite the bandh called by tribal outfit, Kui Samaj Sammanya Samiti.
Even as business establishments remained closed in Phulbani, members of Christian community visited churches and offered prayers. Midnight mass was organised in both Odia Baptist Church and Roman Catholic Church at Phulbani. People sang carols and exchanged cakes, sweets after the mass, said secretary of Catholic Church, MM Mantri.
In Balliguda, G Udaygiri, Kotagarh, Daringbadi and Tumudibandh, the bandh call had little impact. No untoward incident was reported till filing of this report.
The outfit had given the bandh over their 34-point charter of demands. In fact, members of Kui Samaj Sammanya Samiti have been agitating since 2008 demanding fulfillment of their demands, which includes Government intervention to stop use of fake caste certificates, setting up of a medical college in the area and provision of land rights to ST people.
Secretary of the Samiti, Lambodar Konhar said State Government had fulfilled only some of their demands, while the rest have not been considered so far.
The district police had made elaborate security arrangements throughout the district to avoid any law and order situation. Vehicles entering and leaving the district were frisked.