By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 25, 2015 : Christamas celebrations were hit and normal life affected by the bandh called by the Kui Samaj Samnawya Samiti (KSSS) on Friday in Khandamal, which saw communal violence following the murder of Lakhmanananda Saraswati, the vice-president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), on 23rd August 2008.

The strike follows the failure of its talks with the district administration over its 34 point charter of demand.

The streets wore a deserted look with shops, business places, banks and restaurants remained closed during the morning to dusk bandh call, in the tribal dominated district, reports from the communally sensitive area said.

The district administration has made adequate arrangements for maintenance of peace and security in the area. The vehicles entering the district are being checked, churches have been provided with adequate security and police patrolling has been tightened in local areas.

The KSSS has been agitating since 2007 demanding fulfillment of its demands.

“In 2007, we had placed 34 demands before the government, the Chief Minister had then promised to fulfill them. Many of them 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,” Lambodhar Kanhar, president KSSS said.

With Kandhamal having a sizable Christian population the bandh call has made an impact on Christmas celebrations in the area.