"We have already informed the Government about it. We hope police will take action," the Christian leader said.

When contacted, Home Secretary Aditya Padhi said the state Government had taken all necessary steps for a peaceful Christmas.

"The police have been directed to take action immediately if at all they receive any complaint regarding breach of peace," he said.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday spoke to Patnaik over the state's preparedness for ensuring security for Christians.

• ORISSA has earned the dubious distinction of having the highest number of cases of communal violence this year, recording a 12-fold jump from last year, Orissa, which was in news for the attack against Christians, reported 178 such incidents till November 30 followed by Madhya Pradesh (115) and Uttar Pradesh (104). According to the latest government data, among the 153 killed this year in communal riots, Orissa, accounting for 28 per cent of the deaths, again topped the list. A total of 43 people were killed and 78 injured in the state this year compared to three and 61 respectively in 2007.

• The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has released an annual report of its humanitarian activities to convey that its "efforts are as large as Christians missionaries across the country". The report include efforts to consolidate 198 Hindu charitable trusts from 41 prants (region) for which VHP social work division will now act as the apex body. The trusts run hostels, orphanages, education activities and disaster relief.