Bhubaneswar, July 24 - The Orissa assembly, which was forced to suspend its proceedings Thursday after a stray snake was spotted by staff inside the house, resumed business Friday with a doctor and a snake catcher on guard, and many legislators wearing shoes instead of their usual slippers.

The snake, which was seen in the morning near the house reporters' table by some of the assembly staff during cleaning, remained elusive after a search of over 24 hours.

The reptile, believed to be a king cobra, couldn't be found despite searches by security personnel and a sniffer dog.

'The snake has not yet been traced. We have taken all precautions for the safety of the legislators. A doctor and a member of the snake help line have been asked to remain in the assembly lobby (outside of the assembly hall)' speaker Pradip Kumar Amat told IANS.

Many legislators were seen entering the house wearing shoes rather than the usual slippers.

'We have come here wearing shoes on the advice of the assembly authorities,' one of them said.