The 66th Republic Day was celebrated across Odisha Monday with gaiety and enthusiasm despite intelligence bureau inputs on a possible terror strike and a Maoist boycott call.
Governor S.C. Jamir took the salute at the Republic Day parade held in state capital Bhubaneswar. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hoisted the tri-colour at Cuttack.
After taking salute at an impressive parade in the heritage city of Cuttack, 26 km from here, Patnaik highlighted the achievements of his government and reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous state.
Although the intelligence bureau (IB) alerted four states, including Odisha, on possible terror strikes and the Maoists put up posters and banners at a few places in the state's southern districts asking people to boycott the celebrations, there was no untoward incident anywhere, police said.
The celebrations were peaceful in areas where the Maoists are active such as Malkangiri, Rayagada and Koraput where thousands of people, including women and children, participated in Republic Day celebrations.
