Now it’s a direct challenge to Orissa govt.

Thousands of Hindus have warned that they would observe Orissa bandh on coming Christmas Day if the state government failed to arrest the killers of the VHP leader by December 15.

Despite a heavy downpour on Saturday morning, more than 50 thousands of Hindus from across Orissa gathered in Bhubaneswar for a rally called by Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati Shradhanjali Samiti.

More than 45 platoons of police including 15 platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed in the state capital to ensure the rally passes off peacefully.

The Naveen Pattanaik govt. had imposed certain restrictions on the rally including a ban on carrying of traditional weapons and provocative slogans.

Earlier the Union govt. had advised Orissa to not to allow the rally. But the state govt. allowed the rally to take place.