Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 : In Orissa, five Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionaries, including Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, a prominent leader in communally-sensitive Kandhmal District, were killed by unidentified assailants, suspected to be Maoists, late last night when Janmashtami celebrations were on.

Nearly 30 armed people entered the Laxamanananda Ashram in Jalespata under Tumudibandh block and fired indiscriminately, leaving Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others dead.

Immediately after the firing the armed group fled away, official sources said.

Arupananda, Chinmayananda and Mata Bhaktimayee and an unidentified person were the four others dead in the attack.

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."

Bhubaneshwar, Aug 9 : The Dongria and Jharnia Kondh tribes of Kalahandi today announced to continue their protest against the London based Vedanta Group despite Supreme Court’s green signal to the Company to go ahead with its project worth 800 million dollars to mine bauxite from the Niyamgiri Hills.

Bhubaneshwar, July 2: The search operation to trace out 35 missing commandos, who were feared drowned after the Maoists capsized their boat, is being stepped up with mobilisation of additional forces to Orissa’s Malkangiri District today.

Around one thousand armed police from Orissa and Andhra Pradesh and CRPF are engaged in the search operations in Chitrakonda forest adjoining Andhra Pradesh.

One more naval divers team has arrived from Vishakhapatanam. Apart from two helicopters, a sonar machine is being used in the search operation.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the Union Home Ministry to send six additional companies of CRPF to strengthen security and combing operation.

Kolkata/ Hyderabad/ Bhubaneswar, June 6 : A 12-hour shutdown began today in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa against the hike in fuel prices.

Bhubaneswar, May 29 : At least 12 people were killed and about 35 others inj