Kandhamal: Lakshmanananda SaraswatiSecurity has been tightened across Kandhamal as Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) scheduled to observe two days condolence meetings at various places in the district to mark the eight Death Anniversary of its pioneer Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati.
Authorities have arranged elaborate security for Janmashtami celebrations on Monday, coinciding with the death anniversary of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati. Two BJP ministers, Rabi Narayan Naik and Suryabansi Suraj, will attend the event at Jalespeta ashram. Security in Kandhamal district has been heightened following past violence linked to Saraswati’s murder in 2008.
Security in entire Kandhamal district was tightened by deploying armed police personnel who conducted patrolling and naka checking at vulnerable places, Superintendent of Police Suvendu Kumar Patra told PTI.Elaborate security arrangement has been made at Saraswati’s two ashrams in the district at Jalespeta and Chakapada, the SP said.
Southern Range DIG JN Pankaj and senior police officers on Sunday visited the ashram and reviewed security arrangements made for the occasion, an official said.
It is to be noted that, Lakshmanananda Saraswati, along with four of his associates, was brutally killed on August 23, 2008 at his Chakapada Ashram. The killing had triggered communal violence in Kandhamal and adjoining areas in which at least 38 people were killed
