Protest against JMM demand intensifies in Orissa

From correspondents in Orissa, India, 03:30 PM IST Protests against the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) reported demand for a greater Jharkhand by adding parts of neighbouring states to it has intensified in Orissa, with hundreds of activists and students staging demonstrations and observing a shutdown in some parts of the state Thursday. The shutdown call given by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the mineral rich district of Keonjhar affected life in the region. Hundreds of party workers brought out a procession in Keonjhar town, some 200 km from here. Schools, colleges, private and government offices were closed in the town as protesters blocked roads at several places. Vehicular movement was also affected, police said. Hundreds of students brought out a procession and burnt the effigy of JMM chief Shibu Soren at Cuttack,... [read full story]