Kalinga Times Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Nov 19: The three-member group of Central Ministers headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has opposed the proposed Odisha bandh called by Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati Shradhanjali Samiti on Christmas.

The Central Ministers, who visited riot-hit Kandhamal district on Tuesday, suggested the Naveen Patnaik Government to prevent the bandh called by the Samiti on Christmas as it was a major festival.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik too responded to queries by journalist opposing the idea of the bandh on Christmas day.

The Central Ministers – Pawar, Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar, and Tribal Affairs Minister P. R. Kyndiah – observed that peace was yet to be restored in Kandhamal district.

They suggested a series of measures to restore communal amity and peace in Kandhamal.

The Central team raised the issue of the bandh threat after a delegation representing the Christian community took exception to the proposed bandh called by the Samiti, which was backed by a number of organisations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.

Sources, however, said that the Samiti would stick to its stand and enforce the statewide bandh on Christmas if the killers of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda were not taken to task by December 15.