Christmas Celebration to be a low-key affair in Kandhamal, restriction imposed due to COVID-19

Phulbani: The upcoming Christmas celebration is to be a low-key affair in Kandhamal district of Odisha as the district administration has imposed certain restrictions due to COVID-19.

The district administration held a meeting of the Peace Committee yesterday. Additional District Collector, Superintendent of Police (SP) and members of different religious organizations attended the meeting.

During the Peace Committee meeting, it was decided that Christmas will be celebrated by following the guidelines imposed by the Odisha government to check the spread of COVID-19 in the State. The meeting also decided that only 50 persons in small churches and 100 persons in big churches can attend the Mass/religious activities in the church at a time.

The Kandhamal Kui Samaj Samanwaya Samit has been allowed to observe its Shahid Diwas or Martyrs’ Day only in Barakhama. The forum will not hold any rally while observing the Shahid Diwas.

The district police also has made elaborate security arrangements across the district. A total of 25 platoons of cops will be deployed for the peaceful celebration of Christmas, said Kandhamal SP Vinit Agrawal.

Meanwhile, Arch Bishop John Barwa also urged everyone to follow the COVID protocols and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at their homes without congregating in the churches.