Communal Violence in Jeypore: Mob torch Police Station, Five injured

Breaking News! A violent mob belonging to Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajarang Dal, BJP and RSS clashed with Christian groups in Jeypore. Police had to resort to lathicharge and blank firing to contain the violence. At least 6 people have been injured in the clashes. The mob burnt the Town Police Station and set a vehicle on fire. Many policemen including the SP and Deputy Collector were injured in the mob attack.

The violence occurred when the Hindu groups objected to some writing on the wall inside VD College, Jeypore. The inflammatory writing was allegedly the handiwork of some Christian anti-social elements. Students belonging to both community clashed inside the college campus. Later, the communal passion gripped the locals of Jeypore and Hindu groups marched towards Christian settlements in large numbers. Sudden rain has put a halt to their march.

Currently, the Sangh Parivar groups are holding a secret meeting to decide on their future strategy. The district administrations has called for immediate deployment of CRPF in Jeypore. Curfew has been imposed in Jeypore town.

Centre wants CBI Probe into Kandhamal Violence

The Central government said it wanted a CBI probe into the recent communal clashes in Orissa, which claimed more than 13 lives and left thousands homeless. The Indian government has been under pressure from Western countries, as thousands of Christians and missionary establishments were targeted in Orissa aftermath the killing of octogenarian VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.

The Central government has categorically said that it would not allow secularism to be undermined under any circumstances. The decision to request Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik to agree for a CBI probe was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Communal Riots in Kandhamal: Two killed, over 50 injured

Kandhamal is on boil yet again. This time the communal riots reached its zenith, as it was related to passion and emotion of common people after the killing of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on Saturday night. At least two people have been killed and over 50 injured in clashes between Hindu and Christians in several parts of Kandhamal.

Over 200 houses, religious places, prayer houses and educational institutions have been set on fire. The police is yet to reach some communal-hit villages, as villagers have blocked the roads with huge wooden logs. Although violent incidents have been reported from several parts of the state, Kandhamal is worst affected. People defied curfew and took law into their hands. Phulbani, Tumudibandh, Tikabali, Tingia and Baliguda witnessed widespread violence in the past two days. The CRPF and RAF staged flag march in several areas of Kandhamal. Curfew continued to be in force entire Kandhamal district.

Violence spread to other parts of districts and the district administration is finding it tough to control the situation. The BJD government is in a tight spot, as its coalition partner BJP has turned against the government and has offered its tacit support to Sangh Parivar activists, who have unleashed a war against the minority Christians aftermath murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. If the government does not take a tough stance to deal with the current, it may turn ugly over the next few days.

Laxmanananda Saraswati cremated, Nun burnt alive in Bargarh

Breaking News! A nun was burnt alive in Bargarh during the bandh call given by Sangh Parival led by VHP. The incident occurred when a mob set an orphanage on fire in Bargarh. No person has been arrested in connection with this gruesome incident. Violent incidents have been reported from several parts of the state. The Bandh was total in Orissa. Road, Train and Flight services have been badly affected. More than two dozen churches and prayer houses have been torched by the mob elsewhere in the state.

Meanwhile, deceased VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was cremated at Chakapad Ashram in Kandhamal, which was his home and work field for more than four decades. Several VHP, Bajarang Dal, RSS and BJP leaders and activists attended his cremation. Thousands of common people gathered to give a tearful farewell to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Well known VHP leader Praveen Togadia too attended Swami Laxmanananda's cremation. He is expected to hold a press conference in Bhubaneswar tomorrow.

Orissa Bandh impact: No JEE Counselling on Monday

The JEE authorities have deferred the counselling for Engineering students for a day in the wake of Orissa Bandh called by VHP today. The counselling process will resume on Tuesday and it will be held at the same venue. Since the road and train services have been paralysed in the state, JEE had no option but to defer the counselling process till Tuesday.

Orissa Bandh today, Praveen Togadia to visit Kandhamal

The Orissa Bandh called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, RSS, Bajarang Dal and BJP has been a complete success with normal life coming to a standstill in all parts of the state. Not a single area of the state was left behind and the Bandh call received overwhelming response even from the common people. Both passion and emotion are high in the state after the gruesome murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.

Violent incidents reported from Kandhmal, where the communal passion is on a all-time high. Several churches, Christian Missionary institutions, government vehicles and some buses were torched in Baliguda, Talasara and other parts of Kandhamal. After the supension of Kandhmal SP Nikhil Kanodia, Southern Range DIG R P Coche has been given the charge of Kandhamal. Additional security forces are being deployed in various parts of Kandhamal and curfew is in force. According to latest reports, at least three people have been detained for questioning in connection with this case.

Unlike the past, the protesters started blocking the roads, burnt tyres and blocked all highways in the wee hours on Monday. There is no traffic movement at all and all shops and business establishments have been closed. In a precautionary measure, the state government had yesterday issued an order to close all schools and colleges in the state on Monday. A high alert has been issued in the state and security personnel were instructed to stay alert.

Meanwhile, senior VHP leader Praveen Togadia arrived in Bhubaneswar today. He is scheduled to attend Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's funeral. Other Sangh Parivar leaders Indresh Kumar (RSS), Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, Sant Ramvilas Vedanti, Y Raghbalu, Yashpal Singh will also attend the funeral of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Swamiji will be cremated at Chakapad Ashram.

Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, A Man with a Mission

Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was killed by unknown assailants at Jaleshpata Kanya Ashram on Saturday night, was a man of strong determination and ideology. His message was loud and clear - "Believe in your religion, don't disband it". He never used double standards. He preached what he believed and always stuck to that.

Swami Laxmanananda (80) was a native of Gurujanga village in Talcher. Over four decades ago, he denounced marital life and became a saint. He left his wife and son (who was just one year old) and moved to Kandhamal, which became his "Karma Bhumi". Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati set up an Ashram at Chakapada in 1960s. He had chosen Kandhamal, as the tribal-dominated district was under attack from Christian missionaries, who were allegedly indulged in mass conversion of tribals and scheduled caste people by luring them with money and other facilities.

The situation was so bad in Kandhamal (then Phulbani) district that Orissa government had to enact the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act to prevent rampant religious conversions. Laxamanananda worked hard for the upliftment of tribals and scheduled caste people in that area. He established several Ashrams and promoted education among the poor. He also set up orphanages and educational institutions.

Since he successfully stopped the conversion among tribals and poor and vehemently opposed cow-slaughter, the Christian extremists always targeted him. He had survived at least nine attempts on his life including a murderous attempt in December 2007. The district administration failed to provide adequate security to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, even though there was always a threat to his life.

While we pay tearful homage to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, we hope that his work and belief will continue to show right path to people in Kandhamal and other parts of the state. Long live Swami Laxmananada Saraswati!

Violence and Curfew in Kandhamal; SP, OIC suspended

Sporadic violence reported from several parts of Kandhmal district after the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati by unknown assailants at Jaleshpata Ashram on Saturday night. Several Churches and Christian institutions in Kandhamal district came under attack. The state government has dispatched additional CRPF personnel to restore law and order in the district.

Kandhamal SP Nikhil Kanodia and Tumudibandh OIC Madhusudan Jena Samant has been suspended for dereliction of duty. Barely 36 hours before his gruesome kiling, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati had filed an FIR at Tumudibandh police letter after receiving a threatening letter. It's an irony that police took that matter lightly and did not bother to provide additional security to Laxmanananda.

The state government has ordered a judicial probe into the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each for the families of dead. Besides Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, four others including Madhu Baba, Kishore Baba, Mata Bhaktimayee and the guardian of a girl inmate of the Ashram were killed in the attack. Although the state government suspect that it could be a Maoist attack, public is not willing to accept this theory. Everybody knows that Swamiji was always on the hit list of Christian ultras and missionaries.

Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati shot dead in Kandhamal

Breaking News! Senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati , who has been spearheading the anti-conversion movement in Kandhamal district in Orissa, was killed by unknown assailants at 9 PM yesterday. The Maoists also killed four other inmates of Jaleshpata Ashram, where Swami Laxmanananda was staying. Swami Laxmanananda was 80. Read more on Breaking News Online.

Kishore Kumar Mohanty elected Orissa speaker

Kishore Kumar Mohanty, a leader of Orissa's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), was on Tuesday elected as speaker of the state assembly. He was elected by voice vote after the Congress party boycotted the voting saying it had not been consulted by the BJD. Mohanty’s name was proposed by the ruling coalition on Monday, while the Congress did not field any candidate.

Born in 1958, Mohanty started his political career in 1984 as a councillor to the local urban body. He became the chairman of Jharsuguda municipality in 1992 and held the post till 1995. Mohanty is a third time MLA from Jharsuguda and worked more than 4 years as Government’s chief whip hoped to win the hearts of all members of the House barring their party affiliations. Mohanty has been elected to the assembly from Jharsuguda constituency in 1990, 2000, and 2004. He was working as chief whip of the ruling coalition in the assembly since May 2004. The speaker's post was lying vacant following the resignation of Maheswar Mohanty on March 31 after a women employee of the assembly accused him of sexual harassment.

Spanco bags Rs 70 cr contract from Orissa govt

Spanco Telesystems, a system integrator in the telecom segment, today said it has bagged a contract from Orissa Government for rolling out a State Wide Area Network (SWAN) across the state worth Rs 70 crore. Under this contract Spanco, along with ITI will build own and operate a state wide network connecting 30 districts and 284 talukas in Orissa, before transferring it to the state government at the end of five years. At 10:30 am, the company's shares were up 10.9 per cent to Rs 105.80 after soaring to a high of Rs 114 with volume traded at 22,821 against two-week average of 38,167 shares.

Orissa CM announces Rs. 5 lakh Cash Reward for Abhinav Bindra

Following the foot steps of other state Chief Ministers, Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik has announced a cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh for ace shooter Abhinav Bindra, who made the country proud by winning India's first-ever individual Olympic gold medal at Beijing. Mr. Patnaik congratulated Abhinav Bindra and said the country was proud of him.

Posco, Vedanta get Supreme Court nod for Mega Projects in Orissa

The Suprme Court cleared all hurdles in the way of controversial Sterlite (Vedanta) and Posco projects in Orissa. However, it imposed certain conditions to ensure the environment safety and welfare of the tribals affected by the mining projects. Sterlite Industries, the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc. got the final nod to proceed with its controversial Rs. 4,000 crore aluminium project in the Niyamgiri hills.

Sterlite had sought clearance for diversion of 660.749 hectare of forest land for mining purposes to feed its alumina plant. The special forest bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, pronounced the verdict in Sterlite's favour. The court also ruled that 5 per cent of the profit of the company, or Rs 10 crore (whichever is higher), would be spent each year to maintain the ecological balance and for the welfare of the displaced tribal people. A Centrally Empowered Committee would supervise the functioning of the project.

The same bench of the Supreme Court, gave its nod to another controversial steel project from Posco India. Posco is going to invest Rs. 51,000 crore to set up a steel plant in Orissa, which includes a captive minor port in Paradeep. The project covers 1,650 hectares of land including 1,253 hectares of forest land. The same condition that applies to Sterlite, will apply to Posco too. While the Supreme Court cleared the hurdles that came in the way of industrialization, it also took utmost care of the concerns expressed by the environmentalists and displaced tribals.

Orissa Speaker Maheshwar Mohanty gets clean chit

In a significant development, Orissa Human Rights Commission (OHRC) gave a clean chit to former Orissa Assembly Speaker Maheshwar Mohanty in the sexual abuse case involving former lady marshal Gayatri Panda. OHRC Chairman Justice R K Patra cited lack of "credible evidence" while giving a clean chit to Mr. Maheshwar Mohanty. The case has been closed. Justice Patra said that allegations made by Gayatri Panda could not be established.

Orissa Government launches Rs. 2 per Kg Rice for Poor

The wait is finally over. The Orissa government on Saturday, launched a food scheme, which will provide 25 kg rice in a month to all BPL (Below Poverty Line) families at a subsidised rate of Rs. 2 per kg. In addition, all APL families in the KBK (Koraput, Bolangir and Kalahandi) districts will be entitled to get the benefits of that scheme. The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a grand ceremony.

CM Naveen Patnaik said that state government decided to provide Rs. 2 per kg rice to poor families in order to save them from the impact of price rise. He also blamed the UPA government at the centre for the high inflation and price rise. While the Chief Minister launched the rice scheme in Bhubnaeswar, ruling BJD-BJP minister launched the scheme in other districts of the state.

The state government's newly-launched rice scheme will benefit at least 5.7 million people in the BPL category and 500,000 people in the APL category in KBK districts. The subsidised rice will be given on the 5th, 6th and 7th of every month and again on 20th, 21st and 22nd of the month.

Sayantani Das - Voice of Orissa

Sayantani Das, has emerged as the latest heartthrob in Orissa. She is the idol for the new generation youth. For the first time of the history of Reality Musical Show on TV, a girl from Orissa manged to make the cut and has been doing exceptionally well. Sayantani Das is one of the 24 contestants that are participating in the Star Voice of India 2008. Each contestant represents his/her state and Sayantani produly represents her state Orissa or Odisha.

Sayantani is only 20-year old and is currently studying in the first year of graduation with English Honours. She comes from an educated family. Her father is a banker, while her mother is a homemaker. Her only sister is studying computer engineering. Sayantani was born in 29th February 1988, which means she can celebrate her birthday only once in every four years. Sayantani is born to Bengali parents, but she is well versed in Oriya language.

Sayantani Das loves her father more than anything else. "I am here at Voice of India platform to fulfil my father's dreams", says Sayantani. She has only one idol - his father. Sayantani loves to listen to songs of Asha Bhonsle, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Chitra and Shreya Ghoshal. Her favourite music directors include Shankar Ehsaan Loy, AR Rehman, Vishal Shekhar and Sandeep Shandilya.

Sayantani rates Bombay, Roja as her favourite films. She dreams to sing for Kajol, Vidya Balan, Amrita Rao and Konkona Sen Sharma. She loves food with chocolate flavour, Chicken Tandoori and Kababs. Her attitude says about her confidence level. "I don't have any fashion icon. Rather, I could be a fashion icon for someone else", says Sayantani.

So far, Sayantani has been doing very well on the Voice of India platform. It would be interesting to see how she is going to fare on the next episodes. The road is not easy. But she looks confident and energetic. She just wants concentrate in her songs and extent her dominance over others. Can Sayantani make it? Only the time will tell, but she needs the support of every single citizen from Orissa. Let's support our own Sayantani Das, who has made us and our state proud.