Bhawanipatna: The district police will launch an awareness drive to stop animal sacrifices at the famous Chhatar Yatra of Manikeshwari temple, the presiding deity of Kalahandi district during the Durga Puja festival, a report said Saturday.
The matter came to the fore during a meeting held at the district police office which was attended by the members of the peace committee, senior citizens, office bearers of various puja committees, cultural outfits and senior police officials Saturday. The Chhatar Yatra is scheduled to be held October 6 coinciding Durga Puja which is attended by lakhs of devotees from in and outside of the state.
Presiding in the meeting, SP Batula Gangadhar urged people to ensure peaceful conduct of the Durga puja and Chhatar Yatra festival and not to sacrifice birds or animals. The participants in the meeting had an elaborate discussion on strict maintenance of law and order proper management of traffic system in Bhawanipatna town, during the festival and to launch anti-animal sacrifice drive with the help of the cultural outfits in the town.