Orissa CM orders judicial inquiry into killing of VHP leader

Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today ordered a judicial inquiry into the killing of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanannada Saraswati by some unknown assailants at Jalaspata Ashram in Kandhmal district.

Mr Patnaik, who chaired a high level meeting at the state secretariat here following the killing of the Swamiji and four others last night, said combing operations had been intensified in the area soon after the incident to nab the miscreants.

Describing the killing of the Swamiji as ''most unfortunate'', the Chief Minister said two Inspector Generals of Police and as many Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, along with police reinforcements, were rushed to Kandhmal to maintain the law and order situation.

The Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the incident and said additional forces would be mobilised and deployed in Kandhmal to control the situation in the wake of killing of the Swamiji.

Reports reaching from various places meanwhile, said angry VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters resorted to road blockades at several places in the state and forced the business establishments to down their shutters to protest the killing.

Several Hindu outfits, led by the Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, called for Orissa bandh tomorrow demanding immediate arrest of the assailants.

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