Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 : Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday termed the communal riots following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, as an unfortunate incident.

Stating that the people of the state had a long record of being peaceful, secular and tolerant to all faiths, Patnaik told reporters the riots were “an unfortunate occurrence during the eight-and-a-half years of my government.”

Jalsapeta (Orissa), Sep 1: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has offered floral tribute to VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati, who was killed by a mob recently.

Patnaik visited a religious home established by Swami Lakshmananda at Jalsapeta village in Kandhamal district on Sunday, where he and four others were killed by a group of 30 heavily armed men.

Patnaik said the Central Government has assured more forces to quell communal clashes.

"I spoke to the Union Home Minister and asked him to send ten companies of force. I have been informed that the situation in Jeypore of Koraput district is now under control. Forces have been sent there and more forces will be sent to Jeypore town," he said.

Bhubaneshwar/Bangalore, Aug 30: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has claimed that the situation is improving in Orissa's Kandhamal District, which was gripped by religious violence following the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati.

Patnaik, who will visit the district today, said: "The situation in Kandhamal district is returning to normal."

The visit comes as the Central Government has indicated that it favours a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violence that claimed at least ten lives.

Bhubaneswar, Aug 22 : The delay in implementation of measures announced by Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik might lead to mass resignation by Government doctors on August 27.

Over 2900 doctors working in government hospitals in Orissa have threatened to tender mass resignation on August 27.

The Orissa Medical Service Association (OMSA) president Madhusudan Mishra said, "Nearly 2900 doctors working in government hospitals will resign from their posts to protest against the non-implementation of announcements made by the Chief Minister."