Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday directed the police to make foolproof arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations of Ram Navami across Odisha on March 27.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, the Chief Minister—who also holds the Home portfolio—emphasised the need for strict vigilance and proactive policing to maintain law and order during the festival.
Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Director General of Police Y B Khurania, and Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, attended the meeting along with other top administrative and police officers.
The Chief Minister’s directive assumes significance in view of at least 54 incidents of communal clashes reported in Odisha over the past 24 months, including a notable incident in Cuttack in October 2025.
Earlier this month, responding to a question in the Assembly, Majhi had stated that Balasore recorded the highest number of communal incidents at 24, followed by Khurda district—covering the state capital Bhubaneswar—with 16 cases.
“Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, is celebrated with immense devotion and reverence across the country. It is the responsibility of the police administration to ensure that devotees in Odisha can observe this spiritual festival peacefully and without any hindrance,” Majhi said.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Minister’s Advisor Prakash Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma, Additional DGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, and Director of Intelligence R P Koche, among others.
