New Delhi, Oct 8 : The Union Cabinet will meet here today to discuss the recent spate of attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka.

The Cabinet is expected to mull over the "growing demand" for the dismissal of the BJD-BJP Government in Orissa in the wake of communal violence in Kandamal district.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had recently sought a report on attacks on Christians in Orissa, Karnataka and other states from the Home Ministry.

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 7 : Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity Sister Nirmala on Tuesday exhorted the Orissa government to continue with strong steps to restore peace in areas affected by violence against Christians.

Sister Nirmala called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneshwar today to apprise him of sentiment of the Missionaries of Charity about recent violence against the Christian community in Kandhamal District.

In an interview to a TV channel from a deserted forest, the leader of the banned outfit Vamsadhara Dalam, Sabyasachi Panda claimed responsibility for the death of VHP Leader Laxmananand .The leader spoke with his back to the camera and face covered with a towel and said "Hindu organizations such as VHP are targeting minorities, particularly Christians, attacking them and burning their homes. They are playing riot politics. Our organization is giving all support including arms and man power to the minority Christian members at some places in Kandhamal district to put up resistance against attack on them by Hindu Fundamentalist".

Bhubaneswar, Oct 4 : Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday in a letter to Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata formally invited him to set up the “Nano” small car manufacturing unit in the state.

Patnaik asked Tata to utilise the company''s unused land at Gopalpur in Ganjam District and avail all facilities provided to investors under the Industrial Policy Resolution-2007.

New Delhi, Oct 4 : Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said that the Centre is unhappy with Orissa Government''s lack of action and there is growing demand on Presidents’ rule in the State.

While reacting to the ongoing violence in the State, in a private TV channel, Patil said that six warnings have already been sent to the Orissa Government.

Patil said the Orissa Government''s inaction is a breach of the Constitution and there is a growing demand for President''s rule in the state.

New Delhi - Authorities in the eastern Indian state of Orissa launched a drive Saturday to seize guns in Khandamal district, which has been wracked by violence against minority Christians, news reports said.

A total of 144 persons surrendered their firearms, while 361 others who had licensed guns ignored the order, Khandamal district police chief Praveen Kumar was quoted as saying by PTI news agency. He said these guns as well as illegal ones would be seized.

At least 103 person have been arrested for instigating violence in the district.