Phulbani, Aug 13 : Tight security arrangements have been made in the Orissa's Kandhamal District ahead of the first death anniversary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Laxmanand Saraswati.

Laxmananda and four others were killed by Maoists on last year, sparking of a widespread communal violence in parts of Orissa.

The Sangh Parivar has also decided to observe the anniversary as ''Sacrifice Day''.

VHP Orissa state secretary Gouri Kumar Rath said religious functions would be organised at the ashrams in Jalespeta and Chakapada.

State's Police Chief Manmohan Praharaj has reviewed the security arrangements.

Praharaj said 52 police platoons have been deployed in different parts of Kandhamal District.

They include one company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) nine platoons each belonging to Orissa Special Striking Force (OSSF) and India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and 18 platoons each of Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Orissa Special Armed Police (OSAP) Praharaj said. (ANI)