Ganjam police arrest 18 criminals, seize 17 firearms amid rising violent crime spree
BERHAMPUR: Finding itself on a sticky wicket over a recent spurt in violent crimes, Ganjam police has arrested 18 criminals and seized 17 illegal firearms with 66 live ammunition from them. Addressing mediapersons at Chhatrapur on Sunday, IG (Southern range) Niti Shekhar and Ganjam SP Suvendu Patra said the crackdown was part of preventive policing in the district. The 18 criminals include members of an organised crime syndicate. Patra said Sheragada police arrested six criminals and seized five country-made pistols and 22 live ammunition from them. Similarly, Kotinada police arrested five criminals and seized four pistols and 16 live ammunition. Aska police arrested four criminals and seized three pistols and 12 ammunition. Bhanjanagar, Polasara and Chamakhandi police arrested one criminal each. The arrested criminals are history-sheeters, he informed. Police suspect that the seized weapons were procured from outside Odisha. Special teams will be formed to trace and dismantle the supply chain. Police are also mulling seizure of properties acquired illegally by the criminals. Police have invoked the newly introduced section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which deals with organised crime along with the Arms Act and other relevant provisions, Patra said and added that patrolling will be intensified in rural areas in the coming days. Notably, the district witnessed seven murders in the last one week. On May 1, a 17-year-old girl was reportedly murdered at her home by a stalker in Karapalli village within Gopalpur police limits in Ganjam district. On April 29, a 30-year-old man was found murdered on the roadside with his throat slit in K Nuagaon police limits of Berhampur. Similarly, an elderly man was beaten to death by his son over a family dispute at Purusottampur in the district on April 28. In the night on April 26, two siblings were allegedly murdered and their bodies set ablaze in Beguniapada. The same night, a 30-year-old man was reportedly killed by his elder brother over a property dispute in Bramhanapadar village within Tarasing police limits. A four-year-old girl was raped and murdered in an under-construction anganwadi centre at Khalingi village in Sanakhemundi block on April 25.
CM likely to hold grievance redressal session in Berhampur this month
18 people arrested in crackdown on organised crime syndicates in Odishas Ganjam
Berhampur: Eighteen people were arrested with arms and ammunition in a special drive in Odishas Ganjam district, police said Sunday. The drive was conducted in Aska, Bhanjanagar, Chamakhandi, Kotinada, Polsara and Sheragada police station areas throughout Saturday night in a crackdown on organised crime syndicates, they said. A total of 17 firearms and 66 rounds []
Three murders in 20 hours rock Rayagada
BERHAMPUR: Murders of a father-son duo followed by another killing within a span of 20 hours have rocked Rayagada district. The father-son duo was allegedly murdered in Sariguda village of Likitipadar panchayat under Padmapur police limits on Friday night. The deceased were identified as 45-year-old Agadhu Gamang and his 65-year-old father Sumbura Gamang, the husband and father-in-law of local sarpanch Jenit Gamang. According to sources, on Friday morning, Agadhu publicly reprimanded his cousin Suman Gamang, accusing him of sexually assaulting a relative which led to cancellation of her marriage. Though Suman felt humiliated, he left. Later in the night, a group of men barged into Agadhus house and attacked him with sharp weapons. They also dragged Sumbura from the house and attacked him. Leaving the father and son in a pool of blood, the group tried to attack Jenit, but she escaped to another room and locked herself. She raised alarm for help which forced the attackers to flee away. IIC Padmapur Dharanidhar Pradhan reached the spot with his team. In her complaint, Jenit named five persons of the village in connection with the murders. Police seized the axe, knife and lathi used in the crime. Two persons were detained during investigation. The IIC said that the autopsy report is awaited to ascertain the cause of death. In a separate incident, another murder was reported in Sourabkriampur village under Padampur police limits on Saturday. A 50-year-old Chaitanya Sabar was killed around 4 pm by his neighbour Panda Sabar. Chaitanya was on way for his evening bath when the accused attacked him with an axe in public. The villagers were left stunned by the sudden attack as the killer fled the scene. The family members of the deceased lodged a complaint with police. An investigation is underway.
Rare pancreatic surgery saves migrant worker
Bhubaneswar: A 27-year-old migrant worker from Berhampur has defied the odds after undergoing life-saving treatment at Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar. Rohit (name changed), who had moved to Qatar to secure a better future, experienced severe abdominal pain just three months into his job. He was diagnosed with necrotising pancreatitis and a pseudoaneurysm, both life-threatening conditions that []
Odisha: Red Cross School for Blind in Ganjam achieves 100% HSC results for 42nd year
Berhampur: The Red Cross School for the Blind in Odishas Ganjam district has again achieved 100 per cent pass percentage in the High School Certificate (HSC) examination, the results of which were announced Friday. All 11 visually impaired students, including four girls, who appeared for the examination this year passed, principal Priya Ranjan Mahakuda said. []
Odisha: Two persons arrested for killing 17-year-old girl
Berhampur: Police arrested two persons on allegations of killing a 17-year-old girl in Odishas Ganjam district, an official said Friday. The accused were identified as Muna Khan (20) of Antarabatia village, near Gopalpur, and a 16-year-old boy from Khurda district, police said. He added that they were arrested Wednesday. The deceased, a student of the []
Leave India notice to Pakistani woman in Berhampur
BERHAMPUR: A Pakistani national living at Bada Masjid lane in Berhampur for over forty years was issued notice by the Berhampur town police to leave India by April 27 as per direction by national government. Sixty-year-old Rahima Araa, however, has not left yet. Her family says she has no family in Pakistan. Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, Berhampur SP Dr Saravana Vivek M said that Rahima is originally from Rawalpindi. She has been staying in Berhampur since 1980 after she got married to Sayad Riyazudin of Berhampur. The couple have three daughters. Her husband Sayad died a few years ago. Two of her daughters are married and live in Jamshedpur and Berhampur respectively. The younger daughter Ursaa Begam is unmarried and stays with her mother. Rahima had gone to her daughters house in Jamshedpur when officials visited her house to serve the notice. Later on April 28, notice was served to her online through WhatsApp and subsequently Jamshedpur police was also intimated of the same. Sayad Nisar, the younger brother of Riyazudin said, Sayad has already passed and Rahima has no family member in Pakistan. Under such circumstances, if she goes there, she will be killed. Her younger daughter also appealed the government to re-consider the notice to her mother. Meanwhile, the visa and passport of Rahima is under verification.
Six murders in four days rattle Odisha's Ganjam district
BERHAMPUR: Ganjam is witnessing a sudden spurt in violent crimes with the district reporting its sixth murder in the last four days. On Tuesday, a 30-year-old man was found murdered on the roadside with his throat slit in K Nuagaon police limits of Berhampur. The deceased was identified as Balaram Mahankuda of Rampur village in Chikiti block. Balaram used to work at Chennai and had returned to his village three months back. Sources said Balaram had married a divorcee of Jalantar village in Andhra Pradesh. Since the last around six months, his wife was reportedly pressurising him for divorce. This forced Balaram to return to his village and start a business. On Monday, Balaram went to meet his sister at her in-laws place in Chikiti. When he did not return home till late in the night, his father Balmiki tried to contact him. However, his cellphone was switched off. Balarams sister informed Balmiki that he left Chikiti in the evening. On Tuesday morning, some passersby found Balarams body lying in a pool of blood along Balakumari shrine road. On being informed, Chikiti SDPO Biswamitra Harpal along with K Nuagaon IIC Kishore Samal rushed to the spot. Later, a scientific team with sniffer dog also arrived for investigation. The team reportedly recovered a blood-stained knife and a slipper from the spot. Balarams motorcycle was parked around 50 metre away from the spot. Villagers suspected that Balarams in-laws might be involved in his murder as his wife was pressurising him for divorce. Besides, it is possible that Balaram might have picked up a fight with someone as he used to consume liquor regularly. IIC Samal said the body was seized for postmortem. Four suspects have been detained for questioning. Police are investigating the case from all angles. Incidently, this is the sixth murder in Ganjam in the last four days. On Friday night, a four-year-old girl was raped and murdered in an under-construction anganwadi centre at Khalingi village in Sanakhemundi block. On Saturday night, two siblings were allegedly murdered and their bodies set ablaze in Beguniapada. The same night, a 30-year-old man was reportedly killed by his elder brother over a property dispute in Bramhanapadar village within Tarasing police limits. Similarly, an elderly man was beaten to death by his son over a family dispute at Purusottampur in the district on Monday evening.
BJD delegation meets family of 4-yr-old raped, killed in Ganjam
Berhampur: A delegation of the opposition BJD Tuesday met the family of the four-year-old girl, who was raped and murdered in Odishas Ganjam district, and demanded stringent punishment for the accused. The girl was found dead at an under-construction building Sunday, according to the police. The BJD will move the Human Rights Commission, seeking justice []
Odisha: Budhi Thakurani Jatra ends in Berhampur
Berhampur: The biennial Thakurani Yatra in Odishas Berhampur concluded Tuesday with the idol of Goddess Budhi Thakurani being taken back to the temple dedicated to her in the morning. The festival began April 3. Thousands of people joined the return journey of the deity, which started Monday midnight from Desibehera Street, where a pandal was []
Berhampurs Thakurani Yatra ends
Kodala jail turns marriage venue as rape accused ties knot with complainant
BERHAMPUR: Kodala sub-jail in Ganjam district turned into a marriage venue after a 26-year-old inmate accused of rape tied the knot with the complainant on the prison premises on Sunday. Jailor of Kodala sub-jail Taranisen Dehury said the under-trial prisoner (UTP), Suryakant Behera of Gochhabadi within Polasara police limits, married the complainant in presence of their family members at the Hanuman temple on the jail premises. The wedding ceremony was held as per traditional vedic rituals and Hindu tradition after necessary permission from the court and prison authorities. Behera has been lodged in Kodala sub-jail since November 2024 on the charge of raping his 22-year-old girlfriend. Before his arrest, he was working in Surat, Gujarat. The UTPs family claimed he was accused of raping his girlfriend on the promise of marriage. Due to misunderstanding, the girls family reported the matter to Polasara police following which a case was registered against Suryakant and he was subsequently arrested. After Beheras arrest, several rounds of discussion were held between families of both the accused and the complainant. Months later, they reached an agreement and filed a petition in the court for their marriage. After both the families consent, the bride and groom willingly agreed to marry and cited in the affidavit in the court that they have decided to go ahead with the wedding without any sort of pressure. Following approval of the additional district judge and Prisons DG, we coordinated the marriage according to Hindu traditions and customs, said Dehury. The groom arrived at the marriage venue in a decorated electric vehicle arranged by the sub-jail. All the expenditure for the marriage was borne by the two families. After the marriage, the bride went to her in-laws house while the groom returned to his prison cell as trial in the case is pending, the jailor added.
Man murdered by son as spate of killings continues in Ganjam
BERHAMPUR: The spate of murders continued in Ganjam after an elderly man was allegedly beaten to death by his son over a family dispute at Purusottampur in the district on Monday. The deceased was identified as 60-year-old Gopal Krushna Sahu of Baladia street in Kusapur village. Police have arrested Gopals younger son Dandapani (24) and detained his elder son Ranjan (26). Ganjam SP Suvendu Patra said Gopals two sons work at Surat in Gujarat. Taking advantage of their absence, the elderly man used to frequently torture and and assault his wife over petty issues. Recently, the two sons returned to Odisha and were living with their parents. On Monday evening, Gopal reportedly assaulted his wife again without any reason. When Dandapani and Ranjan came to their mothers rescue, they too were attacked by Gopal. In a fit of rage, Dandapani hit his father with an iron rod. Gopal suffered grievous injury on his head and was killed instantly. The SP said on being informed, Purusottampur police rushed to the village and apprehended both the sons. The iron rod used in the crime was seized and the deceaseds body sent to the hospital for autopsy. During interrogation, Dandapani confessed to his crime following which he was arrested. Ranjan has been detained and is being questioned. Further investigation is underway, Patra added. The latest incident marks the fifth murder in the district in the last three days. On Friday night, a four-year-old girl was raped and murdered in an under-construction anganwadi centre at Khalingi village in Sanakhemundi block. A relative of the girl was arrested for the crime. On Saturday night, two siblings were allegedly murdered and their bodies set ablaze within Beguniapada police limits in the district. The deceased were Sanjay Barik (27) and Ajay Barik (25) of Sumandal village. The duo had recently been acquitted in a murder case of a local leader. The SP said Beguniapada police has arrested three persons in connection with the double murder. The accused are Manoj Swain, Rabindra Swain and Purna Swain. The trio was produced in court. The same night, 30-year-old Balaram Gouda was allegedly killed by his elder brother over a property dispute in Bramhanapadar village within Tarasing police limits. Police have arrested accused Shankar Gouda and his minor son for the crime.
44 children from Odisha to undergo surgery at Mumbai hospital under central scheme
Berhampur: A total of 44 children suffering from congenital heart disease went to Mumbai from Odishas Ganjam district Monday for free surgery under a central scheme, officials said. These children, aged between 3 months and 15 years, will be treated at the SRCC Childrens Hospital under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), they said. A []
Public grievance hearing at Berhampur soon: Odisha CM
BERHAMPUR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced that a regional public grievance hearing will soon be held at Berhampur in Ganjam district. Addressing the centenary celebration of Unnita High School at Bhimpur village in Patrapur block, Majhi said, The Chief Ministers grievance cell will soon commence operations in Berhampur and I will personally visit the city to conduct the hearing. The CM commended the changes brought about in the countrys education system under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly the introduction of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He said the Odisha government has adopted the NEP with expectations for significant improvements in the education sector. Sharply criticising the previous BJD governments 5T school initiative, Majhi called the scheme a farce and said only 16 per cent of schools had internet connectivity which was far below the claims of digital transformation. He said no meaningful efforts were made to enhance the quality of education under 5T. Majhi said the BJP government has fulfilled all the promises made during the elections. We are working for everyone - farmers, women, youths and the poor. Major industries will be established in Ganjam district with investments exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore, creating ample job opportunities for the local youths, he said. Highlighting the historical significance of Bhimpur school which was established in March 1924, the CM underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping a prosperous Odisha as the state approaches its centenary in 2036. He also assured to recognise Bhimpur high school as a heritage institution and directed Ganjam collector Dibya Jyoti Parida to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) in this regard. On the occasion, the CM felicitated four alumni members of Bhimpur school and family members of its founder Bhagban Panda. He also felicitated five students for achieving excellence at the state and district level. Earlier in the day, Majhi visited the ongoing Thakurani Yatra at Berhampur and offered prayers to the deity.
Three murders in 24 hours rock Ganjam
BERHAMPUR: Three brutal killings within a span of 24 hours have rocked Ganjam which is already witnessing outrage over the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in Sanakhemundi block of the district. Two siblings were allegedly murdered and their bodies set ablaze within Beguniapada police limits on Saturday night. The deceased were identified as Sanjay Barik (27) and Ajay Barik (25) of Sumandal village. The duo had recently been acquitted in a murder case of a local leader. Ganjam SP Suvendu Patra said their half-burnt bodies were found near Merainga village within Khallikote police limits on Sunday morning. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the brothers were killed in Beguniapada forest before their bodies were dumped and set ablaze near Merainga to destroy evidence. Police suspect the murder was linked to previous enmity. Patra said initial investigation revealed that a group of people assaulted the brothers with lathis and stones, reportedly due to their involvement in a recent dispute over illegal excise trade in Shalaban and Sumandal areas. The bodies of the deceased were sent to the hospital for postmortem. Additional police force has been deployed in the area to prevent any flare-up. Investigation is underway to identify and nab the killers, he added. Similarly, a 30-year-old man was allegedly killed by his elder brother over a property dispute in Bramhanapadar village within Tarasing police limits in the district on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Balaram Gouda. The accused, Shankar Gouda, has been arrested by police. The SP said the murder took place due to a long-standing feud over ancestral property. Shankar had attacked Balaram last year. After recovering from his injuries, Balaram moved to Bhanjanagar with his family. Shankar had separated from his parents and was living in another house in Bramhanapadar. On Saturday evening, Balaram visited his parents house with his wife Sumitra and went out for a stroll at around 10 pm. Seeing Balaram alone, Shankar and his family members caught him, tied him to a tree, and assaulted him with lathis. When Balaram did not return home, Sumitra went looking for him and found him tied to the tree and unconscious. She immediately alerted the police who rushed him to the nearby hospital. However, Balaram was declared dead. Patra said police registered a murder case and arrested Shankar. We are also questioning the accuseds wife and son in connection with the incident, he added. On Friday, a four-year-old girl was reportedly raped and murdered in an under-construction anganwadi centre at Khalingi village in Sanakhemundi. Police have arrested a relative of the girl for the crime.
Man held for rape, murder of four-year-old niece in Odisha's Ganjam
BERHAMPUR: Day after the body of a four-year-old girl was found from an under-construction anganwadi centre in Khalingi village of Ganjam district, police have solved the case and arrested a relative of the deceased on charges of rape and murder. Ganjam SP Subhendu Patra said the accused, identified as Kalia Naha of Khalingi village, is a distant uncle of the victim. He frequently enticed the victim with chips and toffees during her visits to her maternal uncles house in Khalingi. On Friday, while under the influence of alcohol and after watching explicit content, Kalia saw the victim playing on the street and called her. She approached Kalia unsuspectingly, and he lured her into the under-construction anganwadi centre, where he sexually assaulted her. When the victim screamed and tried to resist, he smothered her to death. He then hid her body in an interior room of the building before going to drink again, he added. The little girl and her parents from Mahanala village had gone to her maternal uncles house in Khalingi to attend the week-long jatra. She went missing while playing with other kids near her uncles house. He family who were busy with villagers in winding up the jatra activities did not notice her absence. However, they found her missing during dinner and went in her search. A group of villagers found her body in the under-construction building in the wee hours of Saturday. Since her body bore injury marks, the family suspected that she had been sexually assaulted and then killed. Basing on the complaint, police launched a investigation and her body was sent for postmortem. SP Patra said, several persons were rounded up on suspicion. However, based on clues and fresh scientific evidence, the accused Kalia was nabbed from the village. The issue also raised a political storm in the district with leaders of different parties flocking to the village. While Sanakhemundi MLA Ramesh Jena and OPCC presiden Bhakta Charan Das visited the village on Saturday and urged the police to initiate stringent action against the culprit, Transport minister Bibhuti Jena visited the victims family on Sunday. Meanwhile, a petition has been filed by human rights activist Jayant Kumar Das before NHRC seeking compensation of `10 lakh to the family of the victim.
Odishas Ganjam district to get investment worth Rs 1 lakh crore: CM
Berhampur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Sunday said investment valued at Rs 1 lakh crore will be brought to Ganjam district. More than one lakh people would get employment in the industrial units to be set up with that investment, Majhi told reporters after visiting the Budhi Thakurani temple in Berhampur. The Budhi Thakurani []
Three persons including two brothers killed in Odishas Ganjam
Berhampur: Three persons, including two brothers, were killed in two different places in Odishas Ganjam district Sunday, a police officer said. While two brothers were beaten to death allegedly by some miscreants under the Beguniapada police limits, a 35-year-old man was killed allegedly by his elder brother under the Tarsingi police limits, the officer said. []
Odisha: Police arrests man for allegedly raping, killing four-year-old niece in Ganjam
Berhampur: Police Sunday arrested a person for allegedly killing his four-year-old niece after raping her in Odishas Ganjam district few days back. As per the statement issued by the police, the victim girl went missing in the evening April 25. The family members and villagers later searched for the girl but failed to trace her. []
Odisha: Rape accused marries victim in Ganajm jail
Berhampur: A 26-year-old man lodged in a jail in Odishas Ganjam district in a rape case married the survivor on the premises of the prison Sunday, officials said. The marriage was solemnised in the jail premises in the presence of the family members of the bride and groom, several dignitaries and jail officials. The premises []
Berhampur family escapes terror attack by a day
4-year old girls body recovered in Odishas Ganjam district, one held
Berhampur: Police Saturday evening arrested a 27-year-old man on the charge of rape and murder of a 4-year-old girl in Odishas Ganjam district. The accused is a distant relative of the deceased, said an official. The girl was missing since Friday evening, when a festival was going on in the village. Her body was recovered []
Crime Branch probes larger conspiracy angle in BJD leader Naba Kishore Dass murder
BERHAMPUR: The Crime Branch has intensified efforts to determine if the murder of former minister and senior BJD leader Naba Kishore Das was part of a larger conspiracy. In the last two days, a special team led by the additional SP of CB Bijay Kumar Mallick examined call records of prime accused ASI Gopal Das of Berhampur and interrogated several persons who spoke to him over phone before the murder. They were called to the Baidyanathpur police station in Berhampur for questioning. On Thursday, Gopals elder brother Satya Das, who ran a hotel near the place of killing, was quizzed by the CB team. Besides, a cook who worked in the hotel, Gopals son and nephew were also grilled. On Friday, the team questioned four staff of OSRTC buses plying from Berhampur to Jharsuguda through whom medicines were sent to Gopal. The accused also used to send money to his family through these OSRTC staff. Three more OSRTC employees will be questioned by the CB. A CB official said Gopals family members, relatives and friends were questioned about his mental condition. Gopal talked to several persons before committing the crime. These persons were quizzed to ascertain the nature of these communications and whether they have any link with the murder, he said. Besides, investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the murder and if Gopal committed the crime alone or was influenced or assisted by others, the official added. Mallick said records of the earlier probe would be matched with the findings of the current investigation. We will also investigate the crime scene again and question the people residing near the hotel operated by Satya. The CB would stay in Berhampur for another couple of days for the probe, the ASP added. The BJD leader was shot dead by Gopal in broad daylight at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district in January 2023.
BERHAMPUR: In a complex surgery, a team of doctors at cardio-thoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) department in MKCG medical college and hospital removed a piece of a knife stuck in the chest of a youth since last 3 years. Twenty-two-year-old Santosh Das of Kabisuryanagar was admitted to the CTVS department on April 19 due to chest pain and blood in his cough. Subsequently, an X-ray detected a piece of a knife in his right side chest. On being questioned, Santosh said that while working in Bengaluru in 2022, he was stabbed on the left side of his neck by a local during a brawl. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment. However, the piece of knife was not detected and he returned to his native after recovery. He led a normal life without the knowledge of the piece of knife stuck in his chest. However, in 2024 he tested positive for tuberculosis and has been on antitubercular therapy since last nine months. Last week, he developed severe chest pain with blood in his cough after which he was admitted to MKCG MCH. CT scan and bronchoscopy report showed the knife piece stuck in his chest and a surgery was conducted by head of the CTVS department Prof Sarada Dash. The broken knife piece of 8 cm was retrieved from the right side lung and the patient is stable and undergoing treatment in ICU of CTVS department, said Prof Dash.
Odisha: Doctors in Berhampur remove 8cm long broken knife piece from lungs of man
Berhampur: A team of doctors in government-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, removed an eight-centimetre-long broken piece of knife from the lungs of a 24-year-old man, an official said Thursday. The broken knife piece was in the body of the man for the last three years after a stabbing incident. A group of doctors []
BERHAMPUR: Tension continued to prevail in Padmapur town of Rayagada district on Wednesday as locals didnt allow the last rites of the 52-year-old man who was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of practising black magic. Irate residents also tried to vandalise the house of Bhairab Sahu in Hatapada street but were prevented by police. Bhairab was beaten to death by a mob in the wee hours of Tuesday on sorcery suspicion. The mob also attacked a police team which attempted to rescue the victim. Bhairabs body was handed over to his family on Tuesday after postmortem. However, local residents opposed the cremation following which family members shifted his body to Nandigan village in Chikiti block of Ganjam where the last rites were eventually performed. Sources said three platoons of armed police have been deployed in the village. Police conducted flag marches in the area on Tuesday evening and Wednesday to ensure law and order. Police have booked two separate cases against 60 people, one related to the murder of Bhairab and the other concerning the attack on police personnel. A total of 28 people, including seven minors, have been arrested in connection with the case so far. Following the arrests, the menfolk of the village have reportedly fled their homes to avoid police action.
Five held for running firearms racket in Odishas Ganjam district
Berhampur: Police have arrested five members of a gang from Odishas Ganjam district for illegal possession of firearms and involvement in the supply of country-made guns. The arrested have been identified as D. Muna Rao (24), Tofan Bhuyan alias Santosh (28), Chinu Patra (24), Surya Pradhan (24), and Sanu Naik alias Chila (38). According to []
5th IRB platoon commander suspended in Boudh for negligence after ganja smuggling incident
BERHAMPUR: The platoon commander of 5th IRB in Boudh district has been suspended for negligence of duty and failing to supervise his team weeks after three of his unit members were fired for alleged ganja smuggling. Deputy subedar Narayan Bhois suspension comes after three jawans of the same battalion were dismissed after 15 kg ganja was found from them. 5th IRB commandant Manoranjan Biswal said, Although the three IRB jawans were directly involved in the contraband trade, Bhoi failed to identify their actions, which amounts to serious dereliction of duty. Earlier this month, three personnel from Bhois platoon, were found in possession of 15 kg of ganja during a police raid at Manmunda police station barrack.
Three arrested from Andhra for stabbing contractor
Berhampur: Berhampur police Monday arrested three persons for allegedly stabbing a 46-year-old contractor, an officer said. The accused were arrested from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, Superintendent of Police, Berhampur, Saravana Vivek M said. The injured person was identified as Sonu alias Dheeraj Mohan Choudhury of Gosaninuagaon, who was allegedly stabbed by the accused persons near []
KEONJHAR: Mahendra Hembram, one of the convicts in the 1999 high-profile triple murder case of Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, was released from Keonjhar jail in Odisha on Wednesday after serving 25 years. Now 50 years old, Hembram was released from prison on the grounds of good behaviour during his incarceration. Hembram has been released following a decision by the State Sentence Review Board. The prison directorate informed about it in a letter on Tuesday. He has been released after 25 years because of good behaviour in accordance with the rules, said Jailer Manaswini Naik. Jail authorities gave Hembram a cordial farewell, garlanding him as a 'mark of recognition for his good conduct' during his prison term. An official said Hembram was handed over a bank passbook, where his earnings from prison labour had been deposited. I spent 25 years in jail after being falsely implicated in an incident related to religious conversion. Today, I have been released, Hembram told reporters outside the jail. Hembram and Bajrang Dal leader Dara Singh, alias Rabindra Pal Singh, were convicted of the brutal murders of Staines and his sons -Philip (10) and Timothy (6) -who were burned alive by a mob led by Singh on the night of January 21, 1999. A mob led by Singh attacked Staines and his sons while they slept in their station wagon and then set the vehicle on fire. When they tried to escape, the mob, armed with lathis, prevented them from getting out, leading to their deaths. Their skeletal remains were later recovered. Staines and his wife Gladys worked with the Mayurbhanj Evangelical Missionary organisation and cared for leprosy patients. A total of 14 persons, including Singh and Hembram, were accused in the gruesome case. However, 12 of them were acquitted, while Singh and Hembram were sentenced to life imprisonment. Hembram, hailing from Manoharpur village, was arrested in 1999, while Dara Singh was picked up on January 31, 2000, by then Mayurbhanj SP Y B Khurania, who is now the DGP. Initially kept as an undertrial prisoner at Jharpada Jail in Bhubaneswar, Hembram was sentenced to life imprisonment on September 22, 2003. Over the years, Hembram was incarcerated in several facilities, including Jharpada, Jamujhari Open Air Jail (Bhubaneswar), and jails in Cuttack, Berhampur, Baripada, Anandpur Sub-Jail, before being transferred to Keonjhar Jail on September 28, 2011. He remained there until his release. During the trial at the CBI court in Bhubaneswar on February 1, 2002, Hembram reportedly lost mental composure and declared himself the sole culprit and claimed that others were innocent. Trial started on March 1, 2001 at the District and Sessions Court in Khurda, which was designated as a CBI court. Evidence against Dara Singh was confirmed when one of the accused persons, Dayanidhi Patra, told the trial court that he was present when he (Dara Singh) set fire to the vehicle. The trial concluded on August 18, 2003, with Judge Mahendra Patnaik sentencing Dara Singh and 12 others, while acquitting Anirudha Dandapat, alias Andha Nayak, for lack of evidence. On September 22, 2003, the court awarded Dara Singh the death penalty and sentenced 12 others to life imprisonment. However, in 2005, the Orissa High Court commuted Singh's death sentence to life imprisonment, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court. Dara Singh, currently serving a life sentence, filed a mercy petition in the Supreme Court in August 2024 seeking release. Another mercy plea was also submitted to the President of India. Meanwhile, on March 19, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Odisha government to take a decision on the remission plea of a epenting Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, who continues to serve his sentence for the murders of Staines and his sons.
Kerala: Violence against Christians likely to hit BJP's outreach programmes to woo the community
The Bajrang Dal's attack on a Malayali Catholic priest and the brutal police assault on another priest from Kerala in Jabalpur and Berhampur, both of which are in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and Odisha respectively, have sparked widespread resentment among the Christian community in the state.
Indore police bust digital arrest racket; seize data of 20,000 pensioners, scripted fraud speeches
Bhopal: The Indore Police Crime Branch has dismantled two major digital arrest fraud rackets operating in different parts of the country, seizing a massive database containing private details of 20,000 pensioners in Indore. The police also recovered ten diaries with scripted fraud speeches used to extort victims and three registers documenting thousands of SIM cards linked to the scam. One of the rackets was run from a fake call centre in the Nehru Nagar area of Delhi, primarily targeting senior citizens nationwide. The other racket, with key players based in Telangana and Rajasthan, defrauded people across India using the same digital arrest scam. Both rackets had extorted money from two women in Indore in 2024. The Delhi-based operation swindled Rs 46 lakh from a 65-year-old woman by impersonating officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in September 2024. Meanwhile, the Telangana-Rajasthan network extorted Rs 12.10 lakh from a young professional in Indore in May 2024. Last year, in connection with the Rs 46 lakh fraud, the Indore police arrested a father-son duo from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. They ran madrasas and allowed the fraudsters to use their bank accounts to stash the extorted money in exchange for a 50 per cent commission. Their interrogation led police to the fake call centre in Delhis Nehru Nagar. Under digital arrest, Berhampur varsity V-C loses Rs 14 lakh On Friday, Indore police raided the call centre, operating from a flat, and arrested 22-year-old employee Ritik Kumar Jatav. Investigations revealed that the racket was managed by a couple, with the husband from Uttar Pradesh and the wife from South India. They had recruited young fraudsters from UP, Delhi, and South India, specifically targeting senior citizens in Hindi-speaking and South Indian states. A dark room in the flat functioned as the nerve centre of the cyber fraud operation, which had been active since 2019. The group specialised in IMEI cloning and used thousands of SIM cards from select mobile networks. Ongoing investigations in the case so far have revealed that the racket operators particularly targeted senior citizens (pensioners) across the country. A massive data bank containing private information of lakhs of senior citizens, including 20,000 elderly pensioners in Indore, has been seized by our team that raided the fake call centre operating from the dark room in Delhi, said Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya. He added, Were now working on tracking and arresting the couple who ran the call centre from multiple locations. These sites also functioned as studios where they shot videos of men and women posing as government officials to extort money through digital arrest scams. Cyberabad cybercrime police arrest three for Rs 1.38 crore digital arrest fraud In the Rs 12.10 lakh fraud case, which targeted a young professional in Indore, police had earlier arrested two menone from Jhalawar, Rajasthan, and another from Cyberabad, Telangana. Further investigation led to the arrest of the rackets key player, 39-year-old Venkat Nagarjun Reddy, from Chennai Airport just before he attempted to flee to Dubai. Interrogation revealed that Reddy and his accomplices, guided by handlers in Dubai, had committed multiple cyber frauds not only in Madhya Pradesh but also in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. He was already out on bail in at least three cyber fraud cases in Telangana. Most of the stolen funds were laundered through bank accounts linked to a company named BVN Enterprises. Police believe the absconding couple from the Delhi call centre might be controlled by operatives in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where the bulk of the fraud money was ultimately routed.
Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University in Odisha defrauded 14 lakh through digital arrest
The callers claimed to be members of a Supreme Court-monitored investigation team and asserted that the Aadhaar and bank accounts of the Berhampur University V-C were linked to one of the transactions
Odisha University Vice Chancellor Loses Rs 14 Lakh In Digital Arrest Scam
Berhampur University Vice Chancellor Geetanjali Dash was alleged defrauded of Rs 14 lakh by a cybercriminal who, impersonated as an ED officer, put her under digital arrest, police said here on Tuesday.
5.1 magnitude earthquake recorded in Bay of Bengal near Puri
KOLKATA: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 was recorded on Tuesday morning near Puri in Odisha, officials said. The quake occurred around 6.10 am at a depth of 91 km in the Bay of Bengal, they said. The tremor was recorded at latitude 19.52 N and longitude 88.55 E, an IMD official said. There was no report of any loss of properties or casualty so far, a senior official of the Odisha revenue department said, adding that the impact of the earthquake was egligible as its centre was in the Bay of Bengal. The tremor was felt in Paradip, Puri, Berhampur and some other places in Odisha, he added. EQ of M: 5.1, On: 25/02/2025 06:10:25 IST, Lat: 19.52 N, Long: 88.55 E, Depth: 91 Km, Location: Bay of Bengal. For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/J6q53lzNd1 National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) February 25, 2025
Four migrant workers from Odisha stranded in Oman return home
Four migrant workers from Ganjam district, Odisha, returned home safely on Friday, February 21, after being stranded in Oman without receiving their salaries. The workers, who had been working as plumbers in Oman, arrived in Mumbai on an Air India Express flight from Muscat at 4 AM on Thursday, February 20. They then reached Berhampur Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tata Power and OREDA Join Forces to Boost Rooftop Solar Adoption in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power and a key player in Indias renewable energy sector, has partnered with the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (OREDA) to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar systems in Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana (PMSGY). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Shri Saidutta Biplab Keshari Pradhan, CEO of OREDA, and Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD of Tata Power, in the presence of Odishas Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. This initiative aims to expand Odishas renewable energy footprint by promoting accessible and affordable solar energy solutions, implemented through Tata Powers four DISCOMs in the state. The program focuses on increasing public awareness and streamlining solar adoption for residential consumers. Speaking on the collaboration, Dr. Praveer Sinha said, This partnership underscores Tata Power's commitment to Odishas development and the states renewable energy goals. We are proud to support the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and work with the state government to mainstream solar power. TPREL, identified as a preferred partner by OREDA, will ensure the provision of reliable and efficient solar solutions with lifetime care. As part of the initiative, awareness drives will be conducted at high-visibility locations such as airports, malls, and railway stations. The company will also develop educational materials on renewable energy, train rooftop installation personnel, and engage with local communities to foster technical expertise. OREDA CEO Shri Pradhan highlighted the states vast solar energy potential, stating, Our partnership with Tata Power is a crucial step in harnessing Odishas solar resources to meet the states energy demands sustainably. Together, we aim to empower consumers and accelerate renewable energy adoption. Odisha, which offers the highest solar subsidies in India, is set to lead the solar revolution, significantly reducing financial barriers for consumers. The initial rollout of the initiative will focus on key cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Paradip, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore, and Rourkela, with plans to expand statewide. OREDA and Tata Power will jointly oversee public awareness campaigns, guide government agencies, and conduct regular reviews to ensure the programs success, marking a significant step toward a sustainable energy future for Odisha.
Odisha Expands Bus Fleet for Maha Kumbh Mela Pilgrims with Four New Buses to Prayagraj
Bhubaneswar: To accommodate the growing number of devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has added four more buses to its fleet, a source from OSRTC confirmed on Wednesday. The new services, which began two days ago, connect various parts of Odisha to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Bus travel, often more affordable than trains or flights, has become increasingly popular, and OSRTC is also planning to extend services to other pilgrimage destinations like Ayodhya. This expansion follows the launch of new bus services on January 13, designed to cater to the needs of pilgrims heading to key religious sites for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. These buses link Odisha with prominent pilgrimage destinations across the country. As part of the initiative, OSRTC buses are transporting devotees from four major cities in OdishaBhubaneswar, Berhampur, Bhawanipatna, and Sambalpurdirectly to Prayagraj. The special services will run until February 26, offering comfortable travel options for the pilgrims. We are committed to continuing these pilgrimage bus services in the future, said transport minister Bibhuti Jena. Additional Secretary of the Transport Department, Laxmikanta Sethi, also mentioned, We are in discussions with senior officials to secure permits for new buses to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. For now, two sets of new buses will operate from four locations.
