Balasore, Sept. 14: As a confidence building measure, police have been conducting flag marches in several parts of the state, especially the communally sensitive pockets, ahead of Durga Puja.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel also took part in the march.

“The aim was to get the support of all the communities of the area to ensure peace,” said district superintendent of police Awinash Kumar, who recently took charge.

“These are part of a series of flag marches that the district police have planned. We will take tough measures on the violation of the sound limit and excise laws during Puja period,” he said.

The flag march was initially conducted in the town yesterday, particularly in Sunhat, Bankakhajuri and Kasba, which have a sizeable minority population.

Later in the day, flag marches were conducted in Basta, covering Basta market, Bidyadharpur, sensitive areas of Amarda Road, Haldipada and Rupsa. The exercise was conducted in Soro today.

The district police are cautious this year as a festival of the minority community is to fall on October 5 coinciding the Durga idol immersion. In the peace committee meeting, it has been decided that the immersion process would begin after noon on October 5.

Ahead of Puja, the district police have intensified both excise raids and warrant executions. Around 80 Puja pandals will be set up this year in the town. Thirty platoons of police will be deployed apart from the Rapid Action Force to maintain law and order.