Bhubaneswar, Aug. 21: Janmashtami celebrations today peacefully passed off in Kandhmal, where the day coincided with the Hindu outfits observing the third anniversary of VHP leader Swami Laxmananand Saraswati’s killing.

Security was tight throughout the district with more than six platoons of police and three companies of CRPF keeping a close watch on the situation. The cops were deployed outside places of worship in the sensitive areas, including Phulbani, the district headquarters town, and visitors were subjected to strict checking at all entry points to the district.

Expressing satisfaction with the arrangements, Kandhmal superintendent of police J.N. Pankaj said six platoons of police had been requisitioned from outside the district to ensure foolproof security. The presence of the CRPF helped boost the confidence of people who celebrated the day with traditional gaiety and fervour.

The followers of Saraswati held sankeertan (prayers) at the Jalaspeta ashram, where the religious leader was gunned down on the Janmashtami day in 2008 along with four of his followers. The killings had sparked off one of the worst communal riots in the history of the state in which around 40 persons were killed while more than 1,000 were rendered homeless.

Sources said the Hindu outfits had also planned special prayer meetings in honour of Saraswati on Tuesday at the Chakapad ashram where he was cremated in 2008. “Security on that day will also be almost at par with today. We are not going to take any chances,” said an officer.

Though the day passed off with no untoward incident being reported from any part of the district, there was no denying the undercurrent of tension, especially in the areas where Saraswati enjoyed a big following. His followers continue to be unhappy with the government accusing it of having botched up the probe into his murder. They had alleged that despite having taken so much time the probe was yet to reach a conclusive stage.

The crime branch police recently filed a chargesheet in the case naming some top Maoist leaders as accused. One of these leaders, Dunna Keshav Rao alias Azad, almost confessed to have taken part in the VHP leader’s killing when the rebel told his interrogators following his surrender in Hyderabad. Azad said orders for the elimination of Saraswati had been issued by the top Maoist leadership of Orissa.