Bhubaneswar, Aug 23 - After ensuring peaceful Janmashtami, the district police of Kandhamal Sunday stepped up security as on this day last year Laxmananda Saraswati, a Hindu right-wing leader, was killed along with four of his associates at his ashram, sparking communal violence.

'The Hindu groups have already celebrated the anniversary of Swami Laxmananda. But according to the Christian calendar, the anniversary date falls today. Keeping in view Ganesh Puja celebration and Sunday mass today, we have stepped up security in the district,' Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Pravin Kumar said.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to thwart any untoward incident on Sunday. Fifty platoons of police, including Central Reserve Police Force, were deployed in the district.

Security has been beefed up outside churches, temples and other religious places.