BHUBANESWAR: Shrugging off memories of recent communal tension, Bhadrak town has geared up to celebrate Rath Yatra and Eid-ul-Fitr.Natives of Keshpur on the outskirts of Bhadrak have joined the rest of the state in preparing for Sunday when the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Subhadra and Balabhadra, roll out. Keshpur is close to Old Bazaar which bore the brunt of the communal clashes triggered by a Ram Navami procession on April 5. It is also close to Gujidarada, a Muslim-dominated locality."We have forgotten those days. Now, there are no differences between Muslims and Hindus any more," said Bidyadhar Sahoo, an office-bearer of Hindu Vahini. "People, irrespective of their communities, will get together for Rath Yatra and Eid," he added.Apart from Keshpur, Bhadrak will also see the chariots roll down Bhadrak bypass, Jagannath Temple and Uttarbahini. All three places were abuzz with last-minute activity on Saturday.Md Abdul Bari, president of Chauda Mahala Muslim Jamat in Bhadrak, said, "After the unfortunate bout of communal tension, it is very heartening to see that harmony has returned here. People from both communities have done their best to ensure that peace prevails. There will be no shadow of the bitter days on the coming festive season."The district administration and police, too, are prepared to tackle any eventuality. Bhadrak SP Anup Sahoo said, "We will be extra cautious during Rath Yatra and Eid."As many as 456 shops and 10 houses had been damaged, mostly torched, during communal violence in the coastal town in April. Around 280 people arrested during the violence are still behind bars.

Stay updated with all the Latest Bhubaneswar headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.