Tuition teacher held for abetting minor girls suicide in Odisha
BERHAMPUR: A 26-year-old tuition teacher was arrested on Friday on charges of abetting the suicide of a minor student who ended her life few days back. The accused has been identified as S Sanatan Reddy of Kandeswar village in Digapahandi area of Ganjam. Another tuition teacher, 26-year-old K Loknath Reddy, who was also allegedly involved in physically assaulting the girl, is on the run. As per police, the minor girl consumed poison on June 8 in a bid to end life. She died the next day. The matter, however, came to light when her brother Loknath, on examining her phone and personal belonging etc., learnt that she was alleged being exploited by the two tuition teachers on fake promises. He then lodged a complaint against the two in this connection. As per the complaint filed by Loknath, his sister joined the tuition classes a year back. He alleged that Sanatan exploited her sexually on the promise of marrying her while Loknath had physical relationship with her multiple times on the pretext of helping her secure more marks in the exams. In the meantime, both of them took her intimate photos too. However, when my sister eventually came to know about their ill intentions, she rejected their advances. The two then started threatening to post her private pictures, videos and personal details on social media. Distressed by their repeated threats and concerned about the familys reputation, my sister died by suicide by consuming poison, Loknath stated in his complaint. He alleged that Sanatan even confessed to having relationship with her on the pretext of marriage. Basing on the complaint, police registered a case and arrested Sanatan. The girls diary, notebooks, mobile phone have been seized. Efforts are underway to nab the other accused, said sub-inspector Sofia Mishra, adding, the accused was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
CBI arrests EPFO official on graft charge in Odishas Berhampur
Berhampur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday arrested a senior official of EPFO Regional Office in Berhampur while he was accepting a bribe, an official said. The accused official worked at the Regional Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Office in Berhampur as a senior social security assistant. A CBI statement said that the CBI []
60-year-old man held for raping minor girl Odisha's in Gajapati
BERHAMPUR: Mohana police in Gajapati district on Friday arrested a 60-year-old man on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl at Raiguda village. The accused is Laxman Nayak of Naringa village. Police sources said Laxman had gone to Raiguda to attend a feast on Thursday. After the feast, he decided to visit a relatives house in the village. On reaching his relatives place, he found that all family members had gone outside leaving the 13-year-old victim alone in the house. As the accused was known to the girl, she allowed him inside the house. However, finding the girl alone, Laxman allegedly raped her and returned to Naringa village. When her family members returned home, the minor narrated her ordeal before them. On Friday, the girls family brought her to Mohana hospital for treatment and also lodged a complaint with police. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case and apprehended Laxman. Mohana IIC BK Sethy said the victim was sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur for medical examination. The accused has been detained and is being interrogated. Further investigation is underway, he added.
EPFO officer arrested for bribery in Berhampur
BERHAMPUR: The CBI has arrested a public relations officer (PRO) of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) office in Berhampur for allegedly accepting a bribe of 10,000 from a private company representative. Basing on a complaint by Suraj Kumar Dash of Chaityanya Nagar in Berhampur, CBI sleuths laid a trap in which Anil Ratha, the PRO at the regional office of EPFO, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe to approve the authorised digital signature in unified portal of EPFO on behalf of M/s Jagannath Infratech and M/s Uttam Padhi. Ratha met the company representative at Lanjipalli in Berhampur to take the bribe amount, when CBI sleuths arrested him. The bribe amount was seized and he was taken to Bhubaneswar for further interrogation. It is suspected that more EPFO officials might be involved in the case. In a press release, CBI DIG (ACB), Bhubaneswar Akhilesh Kumar Singh said the complaint was verified and the complainant was told to pay the bribe amount to set a trap. A case has been registered against Ratha and others. The matter is being investigated by DSP,CBI Girish Kumar Pradhan.
Odisha to expand e-bus network, launch Ama Bus service in five new cities
BHUBANESWAR: Going ahead with its plan of promoting green and sustainable public transport in urban areas, the state government will launch electric buses (e-buses) under Ama Bus service in five more cities and further expand the service in Berhampur city. It has initiated the procurement of 200 more e-buses for the purpose. Officials in Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), that manages the Ama Bus service, said the e-buses will be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur, while the existing fleet of e-buses under Ama Bus service in Berhampur will be increased. The e-bus service is available in the Capital region and Berhampur at present. Tender has been invited recently for the introduction of 200 more electric buses under Ama Bus service. The service will start in the identified cities once the procurement process is complete, said CRUT managing director N Thirumala Naik. CRUT has planned to purchase medium-sized electric buses for expansion of its e-bus service. The agency has decided to purchase 50 e-buses each for Berhampur and Sambalpur and 25 e-buses each for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul and Jharsuguda. The fresh procurement will increase CRUTs existing Ama Bus fleet from 560 to 760. The e-bus fleet will also go up from 180 to 380. With Berhampur already having 20 e-buses, the fresh procurement will take the number of e-bus fleet in the city to 70. Officials said the bus operator to be finalised for procurement, operation and maintenance of these buses, will be engaged for at least a decade. Apart from the 200 e-buses, they will also be managing 400 e-buses soon under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme. Under the scheme, the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department plans to run at least 100 e-buses each in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela and 50 in Sambalpur. They added that implementation of the proposal has been delayed owing to legal hurdles and is expected to be implemented soon after the matter is resolved. The Centre will procure and handover the e-buses to CRUT under the scheme. Sustainable urban mobility 200 e-buses to be procured for six cities e-bus service to be introduced in Keonjhar, Baripada, Angul,Jharsuguda and Sambalpur; expanded to Berhampur 400 e-buses also to be brought under PM-eBus Sewa scheme
Promoter of football betting app, a native of Ganjam, held for duping people of crores of rupees
BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch has arrested the promoter of 18football.com, a betting/gaming application, for allegedly cheating investors of crores on the promise of providing them higher returns on their deposited amounts. A native of Kabisuryanagar in Ganjam district, accused Jitendra Mallick was nabbed from Bengaluru on June 4, and brought to Odisha on June 9, EOW officials said. He has been taken on a four-day police remand for questioning. The agency had registered a case in this connection in 2023 after over 800 investors in Ganjam district alleged they were duped on the promise of being provided lucrative returns on investing in the app. Investigation revealed Mallick was responsible for promoting and publicising the 18football.com app in Ganjam and other parts of Odisha. He had enrolled many new investors and lured them to invest in the app. The accused had also organised meetings at different hotels in Berhampur, Bhubaneswar and other places, EOW officials said. The agency also traced Mallicks links with foreign national George Enzo, who was promoting 18football.com on WhatsApp and Telegram. About `21.05 lakh was credited to Mallicks bank account by the down line members. The verification of his other accounts is continuing, said an EOW officer. The masterminds of the scam operated multiple shell companies/firms to transfer the ill-gotten money. They used mule accounts for multi-layering of transactions to hoodwink the investigators. So far, EOW has frozen `1.25 crore stashed in different bank accounts. EOW said it was a pan-India scam and running into more than `1,000 crore. Transactions amounting to `446 crore have already been traced. The agency had earlier arrested four persons from West Bengal, Rajasthan and Kerala in connection with the case. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) had issued a look out circular against MD Sheik Saif, a Dubai based operator/promoter of 18football.com. It was run online as a football betting/gaming application.
BJP committed to ensuring transparent and accountable governance in Odisha: KV Singh Deo
BERHAMPUR: The BJP government has fulfilled 11 out of the 21 promises the party made in its election manifesto, said deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo here on Thursday. Addressing mediapersons during his one-day visit to Ganjam district, KV assured that the remaining promises would also be fulfilled during the governments current term. Highlighting the achievements of the government after completing a year, he said, We took concrete steps to fulfil the promises made in the Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) immediately after assuming office. We took four historic decisions within the first 24 minutes of our inaugural cabinet meeting. The key decisions included opening all four doors of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, initiating the process to open the Ratna Bhandar, setting up a `500 crore corpus fund and introducing the Subhadra Yojana, he said. Speaking about the BJP governments future agenda, KV said the state is committed to acquiring a cargo aircraft to facilitate the export of green vegetables and fresh fruits from Odisha to international markets. We are already exporting strawberries, dragon fruit, and other produce to Dubai and other countries, as well as to domestic markets like Delhi and Mumbai. The cargo aircraft will also benefit Ganjams floriculture sector, he said. The deputy CM further stated that the government is working towards providing irrigation facilities to agriculture land of 15 lakh farmers and aims to make Odisha the leading state in vegetable production across the country. We have also taken steps to boost the production of pulses and edible oil in the state, he said. KV said under its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, the government has initiated action against 28 corrupt officials, including IAS and IPS officers. The BJP is committed to ensuring transparent and accountable governance for a prosperous Odisha, he added.
Open-heart surgery resumes at MKCG MCH after 36 years
BERHAMPUR: Open-heart surgery has resumed at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after a gap of 36 years, marking a significant milestone for cardiac care in southern Odisha. A 26-year-old woman underwent the procedure on Wednesday. While hospital authorities declined to share detailed information, they confirmed that the woman, who had a small hole in her heart, underwent surgery that lasted over three hours. She has since been shifted to the ICU, where she remains on ventilator support under strict medical supervision. The last open-heart surgeries at MKCG MCH were performed in 1990 by then surgeons Dr Suresh Mishra and Dr Sachi Mishra. Since then, no open-heart procedures had been conducted in the hospital despite the availability of necessary equipment. The primary hurdle was the absence of a trained perfusionist, a specialist essential to operate the heart-lung machine during such surgeries. The long-standing issue was finally addressed after the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) deputed a perfusionist from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack to MKCG MCH. The perfusionist joined two weeks back, allowing the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department to become fully operational. The CTVS department, located on the fifth floor of the multi-specialty PMSSY block, was established about five years back with modern facilities and advanced machinery, including a state-of-the-art heart-lung machine. Being the referral hospital for southern districts, MKCG MCH has long received patients with cardiac ailments. However, many of the patients had to be referred to hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Visakhapatnam for complex procedures. We had the infrastructure, but lacked expert handling of the machinery. With the perfusionist now available, the problem has been resolved, said Dr Sarada Prasanna Sahu, associate professor and head of the CTVS department. In recent months, the department has already performed two critical thoracic surgeries, one to remove a knife lodged in a mans chest, and another to extract an arrow that had pierced dangerously close to the heart. With open-heart surgery services now restored, four more patients have already been shortlisted for upcoming procedures in the MCH.
New track, mixed signals: 365 days of Majhi government
2024 was a watershed year in Odisha politics. Proving every pollster wrong, the BJP won a historic mandate on June 4, 2024 to end the 24-year-long rule of the BJD, handing a rude shock to Naveen Patnaik who was within a handshaking distance of creating electoral history as the longest-serving chief minister in the country. With the party forming its first-ever solo government in Odisha, the BJP central leadership threw up a surprise in selecting Mohan Charan Majhi, a four-time MLA from Keonjhar, as the chief minister. Equally surprising was the announcement of the 16-member council of ministers. The party chose Pravati Parida and Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo as two deputy chief ministers. The selection of Parida, a debutante legislator who went on to be the first woman deputy CM of the state along with a veteran Singh Deo was a strong political message. Five of the eight cabinet ministers were elected to the Assembly for the first time, so were the five in the state rank. However, distribution of plum portfolios among newcomers ignoring seniority, experience and individual efficiency did initially cast a doubt on the functioning of the government. Keeping promises The BJP rode on a flurry of promises from safeguarding Odia Asmita to realising Viksit Odisha by 2036; from fighting corruption and ending bureaucratic stranglehold in governance to generating employment. Its Sankalp Patra, election manifesto, had 21 major promises of which the government has already fulfilled 11 by the end of its first year. Within hours of taking oath, the first cabinet chaired by Majhi on June 12, 2024 took four decisions. It ordered opening of the four gates of Shree Jagannath temple in Puri. Another major announcement was for farmers in terms of additional input subsidy of Rs 800 over and above the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,300 for paddy. The cabinet also approved Subhadra Yojana under which women would receive cash assistance of Rs 50,000 over a five-year period. A year hence, Subhadra Yojana has been pushed as a game-changer with over 1 crore women receiving Rs 10,000 in two equal tranches. Seeking to provide economic empowerment to women, the government has also created 17 lakh Lakhpati Didis, a record in the country. Employment was a major agenda for the BJP. The BJP in its manifesto promised to provide jobs to 65,000 people in the first two years and 1.5 lakh in five years. Majhi claims his government has given appointment to around 28,000 people in the first year. We have decided to recruit 40,000 more in the second year, he said. Over the period of one year, the Majhi government has put firm focus on industrialisation having stitched up over Rs 17 lakh crore worth of investment intents in its first-ever investment summit, Utkarsh Odisha: Make-in-Odisha conclave earlier this year. It also rolled out Ayushman Bharat Yojana to augment health coverage in the state. Its first full budget earlier this year put focus on agriculture, health and education as the government made a record allocation of Rs 65,102 crore for infrastructure and also a whopping Rs 68,881 crore for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Making of a peoples government Perception matters in politics. In Opposition, the BJP always questioned Naveens brand of governance which was centralised with one man calling the shots. After coming to power, it made a conscious move to change the narrative with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the centre. Within hours of his taking oath, Majhi threw open his doors to the aam aadmi. He met thousands of people from various walks of life at the state guest house and gave them a patient hearing. It was the first step in building what the party called the peoples government and Majhi went on to call himself Peoples CM. Breaking the barrier between the people and government, he restored the CMs Public Grievance Cell which was closed for over a decade and a half under the BJD rule. Not just that, he has now taken it to districts. Majhi moved his Cabinet to Sambalpur where he conducted the grievance cell to a huge response and announced to follow it up in Berhampur and other places in the state. Shedding the BJD legacy CM Majhi has adopted an assertive approach to administration while projecting an image of simplicity and approachability. He has so far progressed admirably in establishing his leadership within the state and emerged as a tough, no-nonsense taskmaster. At the same time, making moves to remove the barriers between the government and the people. Yet, not so much can be said about his government. A major poll weapon of BJP in 2024 elections was dismantling the power structure under BJD where bureaucracy reigned supreme. A year on, little has changed in practice. Despite the tall proclamations, the levers of power continue to remain largely in the hands of the very bureaucrats who served key roles in the previous regime. Immediately after coming to power, the BJP leaders and ministers had announced to purge the bureaucrats that pulled the strings in the BJD government. They levelled charges against several officers and promised investigation and action against them. So far, there has not been any visible progress on that front. Many of the very bureaucrats have even gained central deputation and moved on. On the ground too, the impact is being felt. Governance delivery has almost remained stuck all-round and all across the state. No major development project has shown progress. Files are not moving, works stalled for long periods as the administration is still to adapt and abide by the new power structure. So much so that the CM himself has recently been forced to acknowledge the issue and instruct officials to buckle up. The party leadership, though, differs. The major achievement of our government is restoring the democratic values which were missing in the BJD government. While the BJD government was run by a handful of bureaucrats making the ministers redundant, our ministers enjoy full freedom to take decisions and express their views without any restriction, state BJP chief Manmohan Samal said. Managing power The functioning of the government, particularly the council of ministers has so far reflected the teething troubles of a team still finding its feet. Coordination gaps have surfaced, with some ministers issuing contradictory statements or speaking out of turn, leading to confusion over policy matters. Ministers are often seen grappling with issues and the lack of administrative experience is evident in delayed decision-making and mixed messaging. They seem to be still coming to terms with the responsibility of handling their departments and the expectations of a public that voted for transformation. Double-engine, double horsepower Double was promised and double-engine seems to be delivered. With the party winning a historic mandate in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thrown his weight behind the Majhi government. Since the formation of government in Odisha, he has made six visits to the state, with the seventh due on June 20 to celebrate the first anniversary of the first BJP government of Odisha. Modi not only unveiled the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, held for the first time in Odisha, in January, he also threw his strength behind Majhi governments investment prowess with his presence at the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave. While most Union Ministers have kept making frequent stops in Bhubaneswar, key events of the Centre are being hosted in the state one after the other. Criticism abound The BJP may have secured a majority in the Assembly, but the Opposition BJD and Congress have not been pushed to the margins. The Opposition has been keeping the government on tenterhooks on various issues. The Assembly sessions have seen washouts due to Opposition belligerence. Nayagarh MLA and former minister Arun Sahoo said the government has utterly failed on all fronts. There is an absolute breakdown in the law and order situation after BJP came to power. All police stations have turned tourist destination for criminals. Women atrocities have increased manifold and criminals are roaming freely, Sahoo said. Developmental works have come to a standstill and nothing is happening at the ground level. As the three-tier panchayati raj system is still under the control of the BJD, the government is not issuing work orders due to pressure from local BJP leaders, he said. I failed to understand what remarkable achievements they have made when the government has failed to stop katni-chhatni which the BJP made a big issue before election. Also, let the government tell the people how many women entrepreneurs it has created through the Subhadra assistance, Sahu remarked. Senior Congress leader and also a former minister Panchanan Kanungo said the much hyped double-engine government has not brought any significant change in the last one year. It has not been able bring a major project for the state nor has grounded a single industrial project despite the claim of attracting investment intent of over Rs 17 lakh crore. Big ticket projects are, in fact, moving out of the state. I also dont see any visible change except the input assistance to the farmers which was their due. The BJP government had promised to implement the Swaminathan committee report in toto. It should have been implemented nationally not just for a state, he said.
Five killed in two separate road accidents in Odisha
BERHAMPUR/JAJPUR : Three persons including a three-year-old girl from a village in Chikiti were killed in a road mishap near Palasa in Andhra pradesh on Tuesday. They were on their way to Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh when the incident occurred. The deceased were identified as 42-year-old Sushant Sabat, his three-year-old daughter Sriya and Gokulananda Panda (35). Police sources said, 12 members of two families from Maisanpur and Kolothia villages in Chikiti were headed to Simhachalam in two vehicles. On their way, they stopped to attend to the natures call. While crossing the road, an unidentified vehicle hit them leading to death of the trio. Palasa police reached the spot and sent the bodies for autopsy. A hit and run case was registered. In a separate incident, two persons were killed and three others sustained injuries after their car crashed into a tree near Mahulkhal under Kaliapani police limits in Jajpur district on Monday night. The deceased were identified as Biswanath Mahanta of Kaduabandi village and Sanjay Kumar Mahanta of Mahulkhal village within Sukinda block in the district. The five, between 35-40 years of age, were returning home from Rasola in a car on late Monday night when driver of the car lost control on a sharp bend near Mahulkhal and crashed into a roadside tree before plunging off the road. Two of them died on spot while three others sustained injuries, with one injured critically.
Assaulted with wooden plank, elderly man dies in Odisha's Kandhamal
BERHAMPUR: A 63-year-old man was reportedly beaten to death at Hatapada village within Baliguda police limits in Kandhamal district on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Sankar Nayak of Munda Sahi in Hatapada. Police sources said Sankar and another villager Nirakar Nayak (56) were engaged in a discussion on some issue late in the night on Monday. A heated argument broke out between the duo following which Sankar pushed Nirakar to the ground. In a fit of rage, Nirakar grabbed a wooden plank and mercilessly assaulted the victim. Sankar suffered grievous head injuries and collapsed on the ground. However, the accused continued to assault the victim with the plank. After the elderly man died, Nirakar reportedly dragged his body to the village community hall and fled. On Tuesday morning, villagers spotted Sankars body lying in the community hall. On being informed, Baliguda police along with scientific team reached the spot for investigation. Later in the day, police apprehended Nirakar and detained him for questioning.
Husband kills wife over suspected extra-marital affair
BERHAMPUR: A 25-year-old woman was allegedly hacked to death by her husband over suspicion of her having an extra-marital affair at Gaiba village within Seranga police limits in Gajapati district on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Monika Paik. Her husband Narendra Paik is on the run after committing the crime, said police. Sources said Narendra, a native of Keredanga village, was in love with Monika and they married in 2019. Since the marriage, the accused used to stay in the house of Monikas parents. The couple has a five-year-old daughter. Relationship between the husband and wife soured after Narendra started to accuse Monika of having an extra-marital affair. The couple used to fight frequently over the issue. On Sunday night, another quarrel broke out between Narendra and Monika. The situation turned ugly when the accused, in a fit of rage, grabbed a knife and repeatedly stabbed Monika. He also slit her throat before fleeing the scene. Hearing Monikas screams, her mother with daughter, who were sleeping in another room, rushed to the spot. However, they found her lying dead in a pool of blood. On being informed, police reached the crime scene on Monday and started investigation. The womans body was seized and sent for autopsy. Police said a case was registered in this connection. A manhunt has been launched to nab the accused who is absconding. Further investigation is underway.
College girl ends life over parents constant fights
BERHAMPUR: Frequent fights between her parents reportedly drove a 19-year-old girl to end her life at Majhisahi village within Dharakote police limits in Ganjam district on Sunday. Police identified the deceased as Shweta Swain, a Plus III student of Niranjan Womens College in Aska. Police sources said Shwetas father Bulu Swain and mother Asima used to fight regularly over trivial issues. On Sunday, the couple had another heated argument over some issue. When the argument turned loud, the girl reportedly asked her parents to lower their voice. However, the couple did not pay any heed to her pleas and continued to fight. On hearing the loud quarrel, neighbours reached Shwetas house and asked her parents to stop the fight. Feeling humiliated, the teenager went to her room and locked the door from inside. When she did not come out after repeated calls, the neighbours sensing foul play asked the parents to check on her. Subsequently, the door was broken open and Shweta was found hanging from the ceiling fan with her scarf. She was immediately taken to Aska hospital where the doctors declared her brought dead. Dharakote police registered an unnatural death case in this connection and seized the body for postmortem on Monday. A pall of gloom descended on Majhisahi village following the incident. Locals said Shweta was not only a bright student but also liked by all for her polite and kind nature. (To overcome suicidal thoughts, contact 104 for Health departments helpline or 044-24640050 for Sneha suicide helpline.)
Sisters trapped in elevator for two hours, rescued by firemen
Berhampur: Two sisters were rescued by the Fire Services department after being trapped for nearly two hours in a lift at a four-storey commercial plaza on Giriroad under Baidyanathpur police limits Monday. Saudamini Meher, 42, and her sister Sarita Meher, 40, residents of Third Line in Brajanagar, were using the lift between the third and []
Deputy CM KV Singh Deo suffers hairline fracture during Cuttack visit
CUTTACK: Deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo sustained a hairline fracture after twisting his foot at the collectorate here on Sunday. Singh Deo had gone to the lower Balijatra ground in the morning to review preparedness for the Nari Shakti Mela, scheduled to commence from June 13. He then held a meeting at the collectorate conference hall with officials to discuss the preparations. However, when he was heading out of the hall after wrapping up the meeting, the minister accidentally twisted his foot. He was rushed to the SCB medical college and hospital and the X-Ray revealed he had sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot. He was provided necessary treatment and advised rest. Scheduled to begin from June 13, the Nari Shakti Mela will be celebrated to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government in the state. Speaking to mediapersons after the review meeting, Singh Deo said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the Mela which will be held across the state till June 20. We have planned to organise mega events like Yuba Samabesh in Berhampur, Krishi Samabesh in Balangir and Adivasi Samabesh in Baripada to mark the successful completion of one year of the our government. We had made several commitments before coming to power. Now we will place the report card before the people, Singh Deo said. The minister discussed with the departmental officers about the status of implementation of various welfare schemes of the central and state governments in the district. He was also informed about the current status of major development projects of the district including expansion of SCB medical college and hospital, renovation of Chandi Temple, development of Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das birthplace at Satyabhamapur, setting up of Tarakasi hub and Mahanadi Riverfront Development Project, among others. The deputy chief minister emphasised on taking steps towards training farmers and officials, promotion of organic farming for the development of agriculture sector, filling up vacant doctor posts and cleanliness in the city. Steps would be taken towards opening the renovated Shaheed Bhawan and Barabati Food Court soon, he said.
Four arrested for gang rape of minor sisters in Odisha's Golanthara
BERHAMPUR: Berhampur Police on Saturday arrested four youths who allegedly abducted and gangraped two minor sisters during a wedding ceremony in a village under Golanthara police limits. Three of the suspects are 21, while the fourth is a year older. The suspects, identified as K Siva, K Sai, G Gareya and N Srinu, all of Markandi village, were arrested while attempting to flee to Andhra Pradesh. The shocking incident took place late in the night on Tuesday (June 3) and came to light after family members of the survivors lodged a complaint in Golanthara police station on Friday. The incident took place during a marriage ceremony, which was being held in a house at Markandi village. Relatives of the host family including the 15-year-old girl and her 11-year-old sister were present in the house. In the middle of the festivities, the two girls went missing mysteriously. The family members launched a search, but couldnt trace them. However, later, they found out that two youths present in the event had lured the girls to an abandoned house at ODRP colony on the village outskirts. The youths along with two of their accomplices reportedly took turns to sexually assault the minors before abandoning them in the house. The family members found the survivors in the abandoned house, following which they narrated the incident to their parents and a case was registered. Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said that following the FIR, the police launched an investigation and formed two special teams to arrest the accused. According to the complaint, 21-year-old Siva had befriended the 14-year-old survivor and called her to an isolated location on June 3. When she went there, he sexually assaulted her. He then reportedly later called his three accomplices, who took chances to sexually assault her. As she didnt return home, the other survivor came in search of her, following which they sexually assaulted her as well. A case has been registered and the medical examination of the four accused has been conducted. They have been produced before the court and further investigation is on, the SP said.
Wild elephants raid villages in Odisha's Rayagada; crops, houses destroyed
BERHAMPUR: A herd of 24 elephants which has been raiding villages in Bismakatak block of Rayagada district has left one family in complete distress. Narayan Huika (56) of Kumbharabadi village has borne the brunt of the depredation as his crop and house has fallen prey to the jumbos ire. On Friday night, the herd entered the village and destroyed several houses and crops. Huika suffered huge loss as the herd completely destroyed his farmland along with banana plantation. He said that upon hearing the elephants arrive, his family left home and ran to safety. When they returned on Saturday morning, their house was destroyed and the stored paddy, rice and pulses were consumed by the herd. The elephants also devoured cash of Rs 80,000 kept in a millet bag. Locals said the elephants have reportedly come from the Nagligiri forest in Kalyansinghpur. The Forest department is keeping a close watch on their movement. Train speed in the area has been reduced to ensure the elephants safety and prevent further incidents. Forest officials said the elephants are venturing into human habitation due to a food crisis caused by deforestation and climate change. Officials said the losses would be assessed and as per existing norms, the victims will be assisted.
PM Modi to attend BJP governments first anniversary celebrations in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on June 20 to take part in the mega celebration of the first anniversary of BJP government in the state. Originally scheduled to be held on June 12, the date on which Mohan Charan Majhi government completes one year in office, the programme had to be reworked following confirmation from the prime ministers office about his attendance on June 20. Informing this to mediapersons here, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said the state government has planned a series of programmes across the state to mark the occasion but the main function will be held in Bhubaneswar on June 20 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending it. The venue of the state-level function is yet to be finalised, though. We had requested the prime minister to visit Odisha on June 12. He, however, gave time for June 20, so the change in schedule, Pujari said. He said the chief minister during his recent visit to Delhi had extended formal invitation to the prime minister, Union Home minister Amit Shah, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, BJP president JP Nadda, others Union ministers and leaders of the party to take part in the anniversary celebrations on June 12. Earlier, the BJP government had decided to organise a series of events from June 11 to 13 to mark the first anniversary with the main function to be held at Janata Maidan here on June 12. As per the tentative revised schedule, a seminar on Viksit Odisha will be organised at different places including the state capital on June 10. This will be followed by a state-level Vikas Mela, an exhibition on development works undertaken by the government in the first year, which will be organised at Baramunda Ground. All departments will showcase their achievements through exhibitions, thematic discussions, cultural events, book fairs, information booths and art shows. The state government has also planned four mega conventions in four regions of the state to mark the occasion. A Nari Shakti Samavesh will be held in Cuttack city on June 13 to demonstrate the success of the Subhadra Yojana. A similar convention for farmers has been planned at Balangir on June 17. An Adivasi Shakti Samavesh will be held at Baripada on June 18 and a Yuva Shakti Samavesh at Berhampur on June 21. All the ministers have been assigned to visit districts to present the Majhi governments first-year report card to the people, official sources said.
Odisha: Four arrested for gang-raping two minor sisters in Ganjam district
Berhampur: Berhampur police Saturday arrested four people accused of gang-raping two minor girls in a secluded area of Ganjam district. The four accused all in their early 20s were identified as K Shiva, the son of a village head in the Golanthara police station area; K Sai; G Gareiya; and N Srinu. Briefing []
Man, two minor nieces killed in oil tanker crash in Odisha's Digapahandi; truck driver escapes
BERHAMPUR: A 36-year-old man and his two minor nieces were killed in a road mishap in Ganjams Digapahandi on Friday evening. Police identified the deceased as G Trinath Reddy of Dahinpur village and his nieces Rudrika Reddy (5) and Varsa Reddy (16). Sources said Trinath along with the two minors was heading towards Digapahandi town on his motorcycle reportedly to buy new clothes for the girls. Near Digapahandi NAC gate, an oil tanker coming from the opposite direction hit their two-wheeler. Due to the impact, all three of them were thrown off the bike and suffered critical injuries. The tanker driver fled the spot after the accident. On being informed, police reached the spot and rushed the injured trio to Digapahandi community health centre. However, the doctors declared them brought dead. The accident sparked tension in the area. Police said the bodies were seized and sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MCH) at Berhampur for autopsy. An unnatural death case has been registered in this connection and efforts are underway to nab the tanker driver who is at large. Meanwhile, a biker rammed his two-wheeler into Trinaths motorcycle lying on the accident spot later in the day and sustained serious injuries. Locals rescued the injured man, identified as Bhaskar Bisoi (52), and admitted him to Digapahandi hospital. The doctors referred him to MKCG MCH as his condition deteriorated. Hospital sources said the condition of Bisoi, a resident of Mohana, remains critical.
Two minor siblings kidnapped from wedding, gang-raped
BERHAMPUR: Two minor siblings were allegedly abducted from a wedding and gang-raped by four youths in an abandoned house within Golanthara police limits in Ganjam district. The shocking incident took place late in the night on June 3 and came to light after family members of the survivors lodged a complaint in Golanthara police station on Friday. Police said on Tuesday night, a marriage ceremony was being held in a house at Markandi village. Relatives of the host family including the 15-year-old girl and her 11-year-old sister were present in the house. In the middle of the festivities, the two girls went missing mysteriously. Worried family members launched a frantic search but could not trace them. Later, they came to know that two youths present in the event had lured the girls to an abandoned house at ODRP colony on the village outskirts. The youths along with two of their accomplices reportedly took turns to sexually assault the minors before abandoning them in the house. The next morning, family members found the girls in the abandoned house. On reaching home, the girls narrated their ordeal before their parents. Family members were shocked as the four accused youths were of the same village. Besides, fearing social stigma, they remained tight-lipped about the incident. Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said family members of the survivors informed Golanthara police about the incident late in the night on Thursday. On Friday morning, they lodged a written complaint basing on which police registered a case. Medical examination of the two survivors was conducted at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur. Police also recorded their statements. The SP said police are questioning the parents of the four accused persons who are at large. A manhunt has been launched by special police teams to nab the accused. Sources said the ODRP colony was constructed to rehabilitate families residing in villages near the sea. Most of the houses in the colony are yet to be occupied and are lying abandoned, turning into safe havens for criminals.
Medha Patkar urges people to protect river Rushikulya in Odisha
Berhampur: Environmental activist Medha Patkar Saturday appealled to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, Rivers may be small or big, but they []
Two minor cousins gang-raped in Odishas Ganjam
Berhampur: Two minor cousins were allegedly raped by four miscreants after abducting the duo in Odishas Ganjam district, police said Friday. The incident came to light after the mother of one of the victims lodged a complaint at Golanthara police station Thursday evening. After registering a case, police launched a manhunt to arrest the accused []
Two minor cousins 'gang raped' in Odisha's Ganjam
BERHAMPUR: Two minor cousins were allegedly raped by four miscreants after abducting the duo in Odisha's Ganjam district, police said on Friday. The incident came to light after the mother of one of the victims lodged a complaint at Golanthara police station on Thursday evening. After registering a case, police launched a manhunt to arrest the accused persons, a police officer said. The victims, aged between 11 to 15 years, along with family members had attended a marriage function on Tuesday night in a village. While one of the victims belonged to the nearby village, the other one's village was about 40 km from the incident site, he said. At least two person, one of them earlier known to a victim lured them and they went missing. As they did not return till late night, worried family members searched them in the nearby areas, the police said. He further said the accused persons took them to a nearby location in their motorbikes and held them captive. The accused persons were allegedly sexually assaulted before abandoning them. The victims, however, managed to return home on Wednesday early morning and recounted their ordeal to family members, when they repeatedly asked about them their whereabouts in the night. Family members of the victim then decided to lodge a police complaint. The accused persons fled from the village after they came to know about the police case against them, the officer said. Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said they have formed two police teams and launched a manhunt to nab the accused persons. Police have identified the accused persons and will arrest them soon, he said. The police have also recorded the statements of the victims about the incident and their medical examination is being conducted, the SP said.
Bus crashes into rest shed in Odisha's Digapahandi, driver killed
BERHAMPUR: A private bus driver was crushed to death after his vehicle crashed into a concrete rest shed at Laxminarayanapur chowk under Digapahandi police limits in Ganjam district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Dibakar Behera (49), a native of Jankia village. The bus left Bhubaneswar on Thursday night and was bound for B Turubudi village in the district. Around 6 am, the vehicle carrying six passengers hit the rest shed before reaching its destination. The severe impact caused the concrete structure to collapse and the drivers cabin was completely mangled, crushing Behera under the steering wheel. Locals rushed to the scene and immediately informed the police. While they rescued the passengers and standby driver who sustained minor injuries, the driver could not be easily rescued from the mangled cabin. Fire service personnel were able to rescue Dibakar after a struggle of two hours. He was rushed to Digapahandi hospital but was declared dead. Police sent the body to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for autopsy and launched an investigation into the matter.
Two women killed by relatives in Odishas Ganjam
Berhampur: Two women, including an octogenarian, were killed allegedly by their relatives in two separate incidents in Odishas Ganjam district, police said. Both incidents took place Wednesday night as a fallout of family disputes, they said after preliminary inquiries. Bijayalaxmi Tripathy (50), an Asha worker, was hacked to death by her brother-in-law at Chadheyapalli in []
Ex-jawan trains youth to join Indian Army
Berhampur: Simanchal Barik, a retired Indian Army jawan, has established Berhampur Physical Academy at Anantanagar here to train youths who aspire to join the armed forces. What began with just four unemployed youths has now grown into a thriving training centre. Today, the academy trains more than 500 aspirants, including over 80 girls from Odisha []
Odisha government invites applications for V-C posts in 13 state universities
BHUBANESWAR: The Higher Education department on Wednesday set in motion the process to appoint vice-chancellors (V-Cs) to 13 public universities of the state. This effectively means, after a gap of three years, new vice-chancellors will be appointed to the state universities. With the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 coming into force, the department has invited applications from eligible academicians. The appointments are being sought for the V-C posts which are either vacant and being managed by in-charge V-Cs, or those which will be vacant in the next three to four months. The institutions include Utkal University,Ravenshaw University, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo (MSCB) University, Gangadhar Meher University, Fakir Mohan University, Khallikote University, Shri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Rama Devi Womens University, Rajendra University, Dharanidhar University, Vikram Dev University, Madhusudan Law University, and Maa Manikeswari University. Appointment of V-Cs in public universities was stalled in May 2022 following a stay on the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2020 by the Supreme Court since the law formulated by the previous BJD government violated the University Grants Commissions guidelines on V-C appointment. Under the previous law, V-Cs were appointed for a period of four years or till they attained the age of 70. With the legislation stayed, when V-Cs retired, the government either extended their tenure, or allowed the posts to be managed by seniormost professor of the university or V-Cs of neighbouring universities. Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj had said universities will have a recruitment timeline and will no longer have to wait for retirement to make new appointments after the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 came into force. Considering the existing or anticipated vacancy of a succeeding year, the universities can now advertise for the positions four months prior to retirements and at least once a year under the new Act, the minister had said. Currently, V-Cs of Berhampur and Fakir Mohan universities are in charge of Khallikote and MSCB universities respectively. Last year, V-Cs of Utkal, Rama Devi, Gangadhar Meher, Ravenshaw, Rajendra and MS Law universities completed their tenure and were given six months extension. Utkal University V-C position is being managed by the seniormost faculty member. Positions in Maa Manikeswari University, vacant after death of Sanjay Satpathy, and that of Rama Devi University are managed by PG council chairpersons. Likewise, Dharanidhar and Vikram Dev universities were managed by OSDs who were appointed under the provisions of the 2020 Act. In April this year, the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed by the Assembly after a marathon discussion of more than 12 hours and the Supreme Court lifted the interim stay imposed on Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2020 last month. This cleared the path for V-C appointments to be made in accordance with the new Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024.
9-year-old boy dies in Rayagada DHH due to delay in blood transfusion
BERHAMPUR : Tension flared up at Rayagada district headquarters hospital (DHH) after a nine-year-old boy allegedly died due to delay in receiving blood transfusion on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Rajiv Takiri of New Colony in Rayagada town. Suffering from fever, Rajiv was admitted to the DHH on Tuesday. Rajivs father Madhusudan Takiri, an auto-rickshaw driver by profession, said the doctors recommended an urgent transfusion after his sons blood test revealed low haemoglobin levels. He approached the hospitals blood bank but the staff there told him that no blood units of Rajivs group were available. Despite repeated pleas and the boys deteriorating condition, he received no immediate help, alleged Madhusudan. On Wednesday morning, blood bank staff asked Madhusudan to arrange a donor. A volunteer was brought in, and blood was transfused to the child. However, Rajivs condition worsened during the transfusion, and he died after sometime. As the news of the boys death spread, locals staged protest in front of the blood bank demanding compensation for the bereaved family. On being informed, police reached the spot to take stock of the situation. Rayagada IIC Suresh Chandra Dev along with blood bank in-charge Goutam Patanaik held discussion with the agitators. The protest was called off after the officials assured a thorough investigation into the incident.
Six die within hours in Koraput medical college, government orders probe
JEYPORE/BHUBANESWAR : At least six patients of Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLN MCH) in Koraput perished in a span of hours late on Tuesday, prompting the state government to order an inquiry after kin of the deceased brought up allegations of medical negligence. Sources said five patients, aged 27 to 45, suffering from cancer, stab and head injuries, died during treatment on Tuesday night while another died on Wednesday morning. Four of the five were admitted to the ICU of surgery department and the remaining two were in the wards. Family members of the patients admitted to the ICU alleged that they developed serious complications minutes after a nursing staff administered an injection and died in a quick succession. The deceased were identified as Sukra Majhi (Semiliguda), Rukmi Penthia (Ambaguda), Phulamati Majhi (Kalahandi), Bhagaban Paraja and Jagannath Pujari (Borigumma) besides Bati Khara (Koraput). The deceased included a road accident victim, a cancer patient and two liver patients, besides two others, who were admitted following a stabbing incident. Sources said the ICU patients were administered Norepinephrine injection, which usually helps stabilise blood pressure. My brother died nearly 15 minutes after he was administered the injection, alleged Jagannaths brother. As soon as the news spread, irate relatives rushed to the hospital and demanded a probe into the sudden deaths of patients. Director of medical education and training Prof Santosh Mishra said a team has been formed with specialists drawn from SCB MCH at Cuttack and MKCG MCH at Berhampur to probe into the allegations. The team has been asked to find out whether there were any adverse complications due to administration of the injection and submit a report within two days, he added. Medical superintendent Dr Susanta Kumar Sahu denied the allegations of wrong treatment. The patient, who was undergoing treatment in the surgery ward, died of septicemia and another had liver disease, he claimed. There is nothing unusual in the deaths. While two others had serious stab injuries in their abdomen, one was suffering from cervical cancer in the fourth stage. Another road accident victim had head injuries, he said. Dr Sahu said he has verified the treatment details and preliminary investigation revealed no negligence on the part of the treating team. The injection is administered to raise blood pressure in patients with acute hypotension, he said. Meanwhile, the district administration has provided an assistance of Rs 10,000 each to the kin of the deceased from the Redcross fund.
22-year-old hacked to death over past enmity in Odisha
BERHAMPUR: A 22-year-old youth was brutally hacked to death by a group of miscreants over previous enmity near Jagabandhu Sahi within Bada Bazaar police limits in Ganjams Berhampur during the wee hours on Tuesday. Police identified the deceased as Bidyadhar Panigrahi of Laxminrusingha Sahi in the city. Bidyadhar was reportedly arrested and sent to jail in connection with a recent clash. He was released on bail last week. Sources said Bidhyadhar, his friend Narasingha Sahu along with four others were returning after dropping off a friend at the local railway station late in the night on Monday. At Sana Bazaar chowk, four of them headed to their respective homes on a different route. Bidyadhar and Narasingha were proceeding towards Laxminrusingha Sahi on a two-wheeler when a group of around 10 youths armed with swords and other sharp weapons waylaid them at around 1 am. The miscreants forcibly took them to Jagabandhu Sahi where they had a heated argument with Bidhyadhar. Suddenly, they started attacking the duo with their weapons. To save his life, Narasingha ran away from the spot. However, Bidyadhar was mercilessly hacked to death. After the miscreants fled, Narasingha, who was watching the incident from a distance, arrived on the spot and took a critically-injured Bidyadhar to his home on the bike. The youths family members rushed him to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur, where he later succumbed due to profuse bleeding. On being informed, police reached the spot with sniffer dog for investigation. Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said the murder might be a fallout of old enmity as the victim was involved in a recent clash. A case was registered in this connection and three suspects have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway.
TPSODL staff hurt in attack by consumer
BERHAMPUR: A TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) staffer suffered injuries after being attacked by a consumer in Bikrampur village under Khallikote police limits on Tuesday. The injured, Ankit Chaurasia, was part of a team inspecting electric meters in the area. Sources said while Ankit was verifying the functionality of an existing meter, the house owner suddenly attacked him with a bamboo stick, causing bleeding injuries to his head. He was rushed to Khallikote hospital. Police have registered a case and further investigation is on. While TPSODL claims the shift to smart meters is aimed at better energy management and reduced transmission losses, many consumers allege that power consumption readings on the new meters are significantly higher than on their older ones, leading to inflated bills.
Medical ragging: Two house surgeons fined Rs 25,000
Berhampur: Two house surgeons of the Odisha government-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital here have been imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each for allegedly ragging a fourth-year MBBS student of the health institute. The anti-ragging committee of the college has taken this decision in its meeting held Monday, officials said. We have received a []
Two house surgeons of MKCG fined for ragging
BERHAMPUR: The authorities of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on two house surgeons for allegedly ragging a fourth-year MBBS student. Dean Prof Suchitra Dash said the two house surgeons were fined on basis of the report submitted by the anti-ragging committee. On May 12, a verbal spat broke out between the fourth-year student and the two house surgeons. There was no evidence of physical assault. After the affected student submitted a formal complaint, the anti-ragging committee reviewed the matter and took the decision to penalise the two house surgeons. Dash said the duo has tendered an apology and assured not to repeat such behaviour in future. Notably in November 2024, five fourth-year MBBS students were expelled from the hostel and suspended from the campus for six months for ragging their juniors. In February 2024, two fourth-year students were suspended for two months for a similar offense involving a second-year student.
Odisha man found dead, family alleges murder by wife
BERHAMPUR: Mystery shrouds the death of a 35-year-old man whose blood-soaked body was found inside his house at Gobindpur village within Kabisuryanagar police limits in Ganjam district on Monday. Police identified the deceased as Kalia Sethy. Sources said on Sunday night, Kalia went to bed after having dinner. His body was found lying in a pool of blood inside his room in the wee hours of Monday. Kalias parents alleged that his wife Pooja and her father entered his room late in the night and stabbed him multiple times. Pooja was reportedly not in good terms with her husband and the couple used to quarrel frequently. In February, she left her in-laws house and went to live with her parents. Two days back, Pooja returned to Kalias house and apologised for her behaviour. But she went back to her parents place on some pretext on Sunday morning, alleged Kalias sister-in-law Manu. Police said a case has been registered on basis of the complaint lodged by the deceaseds parents. The body was seized for autopsy. A search has been launched to trace Pooja and her parents who are absconding after the incident.
Ragging: Rs 25,000 fine on two house surgeons
Berhampur: Authorities at Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur Monday slapped a penalty of Rs 25,000 on two house surgeons on charge of subjecting a fourth-year medical student to mental harassment. According to the anti-ragging cell, two house surgeons allegedly subjected a fourth-year medical student to mental harassment May 12. []
Odisha law student Preetam Kumar Pradhan receives International Authorship Award
Bhubaneswar: Preetam Kumar Pradhan, a law student at KIIT School of Law and a resident of Odishas Berhampur, has received the Authorship Award from the World Charity Welfare Foundation, an honour recognised by the American Merit Council. Pradhan was recognised as a young author for his contributions to literature. His debut book, Mystic and Matter, []
Crorepati engineer in Vigilance net
BERHAMPUR : Vigilance officials on Sunday arrested an assistant executive engineer of Roads and Buildings (Division-1) in Berhampur for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets worth around Rs 5 crore. Following a tip-off, Vigilance sleuths conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations linked to the accused, N Dillip Kumar Choudhury, and his family members on Saturday. Sources said assets worth over Rs 4.9 crore were detected, which is around 119 per cent more than his income. Some of Choudhurys assets unearthed by the anti-corruption agency include a double-storeyed residential building in Berhampurs Mayuree Vihar valued at around Rs 1 crore, a three-BHK flat in Evos Exotica apartment in Bhubaneswars Saheed Nagar worth over Rs 1 crore, a two-BHK flat at Spectrum Royale in Berhampurs Dharma Nagar valued at around Rs 50 lakh, 11 plots in Berhampur and its adjoining areas estimated to be worth Rs 2 crore, bank and insurance deposits amounting to around Rs 30 lakh, two two-wheelers and household articles worth over Rs 16 lakh. A case was registered against the engineer under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 following which he was arrested. Further investigation is underway to trace more undisclosed assets and determine the full extent of the financial irregularities, said Vigilance officials.
Odisha: Vigilance arrests govt engineer on corruption charges
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance Sunday arrested a government engineer for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, an official said. N Dillip Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), Road and Building Division-I, Berhampur, was apprehended a day after disproportionate assets were detected from his possession, the Vigilance official said. During raids, the Vigilance []
57-year-old Odisha woman arrested for burning alive her 72-yr-old partner
BERHAMPUR: Berhampur police has arrested a 57-year-old woman on charges of burning alive her 72-year-old landlord, with whom she allegedly was in a relationship for several years. The accused, identified as Sudeshna Jena of Amrutulu village under Sorada block in Ganjam, had rented the ground floor of the house owned by Harihara Sahu, the victim, in Subash Nagar area of the city. Sudeshnas husband had died around six years ago and she had moved into the city after that. Harihara who retired as a revenue inspector and also a widower, lived on the first floor of the house. According to the investigation, Sudeshna allegedly poured kerosene on Harihara while he was asleep and then set him on fire. She also attempted to destroy evidence by discarding his mobile phone into a well in the courtyard and burnt the kerosene container. Police began investigation after a case filed by Hariharas daughter, Madhusmita Sahu, who stays in another part of the city, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said. In her complaint, Madhusmita stated Sudeshna informed her on Thursday that Harihara was seriously injured and admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital. When she reached the hospital, she found her father had suffered serious burn injuries. Harihara was then referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where he succumbed to his injuries. However, before his death, Harihara reportedly told Madhusmita that someone had doused kerosene on him and set him afire at around 2 am. Basing on Madhusmitas complaint, police launched an investigation. Since Sudeshna was the only person present at the house at that time, she was called for questioning. She initially claimed that two persons had sprinkled kerosene and set Harihara on fire. However, her changed versions raised suspicion and she later confessed to have killed Harihara, following which she was arrested. Baidyanthapur IIC Suchitra Parida and SI Priyanka Sahu took Sudeshna to Hariharas house to recreate the crime scene on Saturday. Preliminary investigations revealed that Sudeshna and Harihara had been in a relationship for approximately five years. However, differences reportedly arose between them after Harihara allegedly prevented Sudeshna from visiting her daughter in Hyderabad and coerced her into meeting his demands, the SP said. Sudeshna also is believed to have harboured intentions of taking over Hariharas properties and other assets. Although Sudeshna confessed to committing the crime alone, we suspect the involvement of others. Further investigation is underway, the SP added.
Odisha's Berhampur police go after gun-runners again, sevem arrested
BERHAMPUR: In a major crackdown on anti-social elements, Berhampur police arrested seven history-sheeters on Friday night and seized a cache of illegal arms, ammunition, and other incriminating items. While five persons were arrested from Gosaninuagaon police limits, two were arrested from Baidyanathpur police limits. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M stated that the operation was carried out by Gosaninuagaon and Baidyanathpur police stations on Friday night. During the operation, police seized one country-made pistol with nine live rounds, five hand bombs, one country-made air gun and six mobile phones. Additionally, 22 ATM cards of various banks, three pistols, six empty magazines, 34 live rounds of ammunition, a Mahindra TUV 300 vehicle, and Rs 1,11,500 in cash were recovered from the accused. Earlier this month, a similar special drive led to the arrest of 12 other gun runners. Most of the history sheeters are currently under police surveillance and the crackdown will continue, the SP added.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveils VIMSARs new super-specialty block in Odisha
SAMBALPUR: The much-awaited super-specialty building of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences And Research (VIMSAR), Burla was inaugurated by Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday evening. Developed at a cost of approximately Rs 125 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), the super-specialty block is equipped with 272 beds including 58 ICU ones. It features nine super-speciality departments of urology, nephrology, neurology, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and clinical haematology. Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan emphasised the need for doctors trained in Odisha to serve within the state. If our medical students choose to stay and work in Odisha, only then can the state become a leader in healthcare. He announced addition of 50 more seats to VIMSARs current intake and said the state is mulling to redevelop the medical institute through a comprehensive master plan. The government has already announced the establishment of a unified dental college on VIMSAR campus in the current budget. Hinting at introduction of multidisciplinary programmes through collaboration between VIMSAR and VSSUT to develop medical and technical education, the union minister said plans are underway to introduce cutting-edge facilities such as MedTech, Biotech and AI-enabled treatment as part of a larger commitment to quality education, good governance, and healthcare innovation. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said VIMSAR is the third major super-specialty medical institution in Odisha after Cuttack and Berhampur. Odisha government has approved establishment of four new medical colleges in the state along with four dental colleges in Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Balangir and Berhampur. Under the Ayushman Bharat and Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, beneficiaries will soon receive an integrated pan-India health card usable across over 29,000 hospitals in the country, he added. Among others, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabinarayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, IG (Northern Range) Himanshu Lal, district collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, SP Mukesh Bhamoo, SMC commissioner, Vedbhushan, VIMSAR dean Dr Pradeep Mohanty, and medical superintendent Prof Lal Mohan Nayak were present. The super-specialty block of VIMSAR has been developed with a funding ratio of 70 per cent from the Centre and 30 per cent from the state government. The facility is expected to benefit people of Sambalpur and 13 districts of western Odisha besides neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Man gets life imprisonment for raping minor daughter
Berhampur: A court Friday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping his minor daughter in Ganjam district in 2023. Pranati Pattnaik, the Additional District Judge-cumJudge of the POCSO court here also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict. He will undergo jail term for another year if he fails to pay the []
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.
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 .
