Agartala, Aug. 29 : Christian in Tripura brought out a silent rally Friday to protest the continued violence against the community in Orissa, where at least 11 people have died in sectarian violence.

All Christian schools and institutions across the state remain closed.

The United Christian Forum of Tripura brought out the rally from RMS Choumhuni and went to the Raj Bhavan to place a deputation to the Governor.

Hundred of protestors including women and young children wearing black badges walked through the streets of Agartala in silent.

New Delhi - Nearly 50,000 schools, colleges and educational institutions run by Christian organizations and individuals across India shut down Friday to protest continuing violence against Christians in the eastern state of Orissa.

"According to our estimate, 50,000 schools and colleges and other educational institutions were closed today," said Sam Paul, spokesman of the All India Christian Council.

New Delhi, Aug 29 : The Central Government on Friday favoured a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violent incidents that claimed at least ten lives in the communally sensitive Khandhmal District of Orissa following the killing of a VHP leader and four others.

Expressing serious concern over the communal violence in Orissa, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said: "We would have liked ideally that this matter be handed over to the CBI because those responsible should get justice immediately as judicial probe takes longer time,"

Bhubaneswar, Aug 28 : Violence continued unabated on Thursday in Kandhamal District of Orissa for the fifth day inspite of the shoot-at-sight order imposed in eight blocks of the communally sensitive district.

The latest outbreak of violence was reported from remote places of Tikabali and G Udaygiri where the police have failed to reach.

Earlier, incidents were reported from Sundergarh, Rayagada, Gajapati and Bolangir districts.

In a backlash to the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on Saturday night, the violence has claimed ten lives in Orissa so far.

New Delhi  - Police found three more bodies Wednesday of people killed in clashes between Hindus and Christians in India's eastern state of Orissa, bringing the death toll to 11, news reports said.

A few fresh incidents of rioting and arson led authorities to impose shoot-on-sight orders in parts of the curfew-bound Khandamal district, where the death of a Hindu leader has sparked violence since Monday, the PTI and IANS news agencies reported.