New Delhi, Sept 25 : Following the serial blasts in the national capital on September 13, Google''s social networking site Orkut on Thursday banned a community named as ''Indian Mujahideen''.

A Google spokesperson said: "Google strongly condemns illegal activities and those that encourage terrorism and violence.”

“We take abuse on Orkut very seriously as such activities diminish the experience for our users," the spokesperson added.

New Delhi, Sept 25 : Keeping in view the continuing incidents of violence against the members of a minority community in Kandhamal District of Orissa, the Central Government has asked the Orissa Government to take effective, focused and firm measures to stop the violence and restore peace and normalcy in the State.

In a communication sent by the Union Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta today, the Centre has asked the State Government to take measures including identification and apprehension of the elements who continue to stoke communal violence and hatred and indulge in disruptive activities.

New Delhi, Sept 25 : BJP leader Gopinath Munde said on Thursday that Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, is likely to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

While ruling out Rahul Mahajan’s entry into politics, Munde said: “Rahul Mahajan will not enter politics. He is busy with his reality show. However, Poonam Mahajan is likely to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from South Mumbai constituency against Milind Deora of Congress.”

Mumbai/New Delhi, Sept 25 : Family of Mohammad Zakir, who has been arrested in connection with the serial bombings in the country, refutes his involvement in the blasts that rocked the country, killing several people.

Shahid Shiekh brother of Zakir who was arrested by the Mumbai crime branch on Wednesday rejects his association with any militant group and his participation in the recent serial blasts in Delhi, Ahmedabad and other cities.

New Delhi, Sept 25 : Italy-based Oerlikon Drive Systems will launch an independent probe into the lynching of the Indian unit''s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lalit Chaudhary, in Greater Noida.

Chaudhary was lynched to death on September 22 by sacked employees of Graziano Trasmissioni, an auto component maker.

Marcello Lamberto of Oerlikon, in a statement, said: "Oerlikon Drive Systems is cooperating with authorities and will launch its own investigation."