Christmas celebrations and normal life were affected in Kandhamal by a bandh called by the Kui Samaj Samnwaya Samiti (KSSS) in the district on Friday following the failure of its talks with the district administration over its 34-point charter of demands.
The demands included an expeditious probe into the large number of fake ST certificates and a medical college in the district and lifting of the not-more-than-two-children ban on those desirous of contesting panchayat elections.
The streets had a deserted look with shops, banks and restaurants remaining closed during the morning-to-dusk bandh in the tribals-dominated district having a sizable Christian population.
The district administration made elaborate arrangements for maintenance of peace. The vehicles entering the district were checked; churches were provided with adequate security; and police patrolling was tightened in local areas.
“We have asked all community people to inform us about any untoward activity,” said senior police official.
The KSSS has been agitating since 2007 demanding fulfilment of its demands.
According to KSSS president lambodhar Kanhar, “In 2007, we had placed 34 demands before the Government. The Chief Minister had then promised to fulfil them. Many of the demands have been fulfilled. Some smaller demands are to be fulfilled at the district administration level, but the Collector is not taking much initiative in this regard. The district administration had invited us to discuss, but the talks ended in failure. We stuck to our bandh call on December 25.”
In view of the bandh call, Kandhamal Collector Jamini Sarangi had assured tight security arrangements for Christmas celebrations.