Bhubaneshwar, July 23 : A stray snake brought the State Assembly to a standstill for several hours in Orissa on Thursday.

A cleaner spotted the intruder, believed to be a king cobra, while sweeping in the morning and called the Assembly''s watchman.

Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat adjourned the House as security personnel, wildlife officials and a member of a snake help line searched unsuccessfully for the creature with the help of a sniffer dog.

"I do hope the snake is found soon. And the democratic work of the legislature continues normally," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Snakes are stray frequently into built-up areas because construction has driven reptiles out of their natural habitat, said wildlife expert Biswajit Mohanty. (ANI)