New Delhi: With the Christian community in Orissa apprehending violence during Christmas, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and assured him necessary assistance for protecting lives and property of the people.
Chidambaram, who spoke to Patnaik twice, including once today, said the Centre has provided a large number of security personnel to assist the state government in maintaining law and order.
Apart from 2,400 CRPF personnel deployed on a long-term basis in the state, which witnessed prolonged communal violence, the Centre has provided an additional 5,300 personnel of CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF), he said in a statement.
"Today, the Central government has provided a helicopter to the state government for patrolling over Kandhamal and Sambalpur districts," Chidambaram said and appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and harmony among different communities during the celebrations.
New Delhi: With the Christian community in Orissa apprehending violence during Christmas, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and assured him necessary assistance for protecting lives and property of the people. 
