Good Friday observed peacefully in Kandhamal

Reported by Simanchal Pattnaik
Phulbani, Apr 18:

One of the most important days in the Christian calendar - Good Friday - was observed across Odisha's Kandhamal district with the faithful turning up in churches in good numbers to offer prayers.

Good Friday is observed as a day of prayers, penance and fasting to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary Hills nearly 2,000 years ago.

There was no report of any untoward incident in the district on the occasion. Barring a few in the sensitive areas, there was no deployment of police in the churches.

“To ensure peaceful observance of Good Friday, police forces were deployed in and around some of the churches in the sensitive localities with regular patrolling,” Kandhamal SP Dr KV Singh said.

A large number of Christians thronged the churches at Raikia, G Udayagiri, Daringbadi, Kotagarh and Baliguda to offer prayers.

In Phulbani town, there was a rush of devotees at the Catholic and Baptist churches.