Odisha CM appeals to schools to observe prayer for martyrs

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed educational institutions across the state to observe silent prayer on Saturday for the 40 CRPF personnel who were martyred in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Chief Minister has requested the educational institutions to observe a two-minute silence prayer at 11 am of Saturday as a mark of respect to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the mother land," a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said Friday.

Patnaik himself observed silent prayer at his office and also while attending a farmers rally in Kendrapara district.

The state also saw a series of condolence meetings over the martyrdom of the CRPF soldiers.

Apart from political parties, various organisations this evening held candle light rallies.

The organisations, who have been staging dharna near Odisha Assembly over their demands, also held condolence meetings on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here.