Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, Jan 26 (IANS) The 62nd Republic Day was celebrated peacefully across Orissa with Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unfurling the tri colour flag at different functions.”There was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state till 11 a.m.,” Inspector General of Police (law and order) Arun Sarangi told IANS.

Bhandare took the salute at an impressive parade here in the presence of thousands of people and government officials.

Patnaik hoisted the tri-colour at Cuttack, 26 km from here. In his address, he accused Maoists of disturbing peace and obstructing development.

Highlighting the steps his government has taken, Patnaik also reaffirmed his commitment to fight the Left-wing extremism till the Maoists are rooted out completely from the state.

Maoists are active in more than half of state’s 30 districts. The rebels circulated posters and banners in areas considered as their stronghold, appealing people to boycott the Republic Day celebrations and observe it a black day.

There were no reports of violence in any part of the state although bus operators kept their vehicles off the road in some Maoist dominated areas as a precautionary measure, police said.

A large number of people, including women and children, participated in the celebrations in the worst Maoist-hit districts of Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal.