Jharkhand's Kurmi community warns to boycott Ghatshila by-polls if denied ST-status
RANCHI: The Kurmi community has threatened to boycott the by-poll and abstain from voting if the central and state governments do not come forward to negotiate the Kurmi community's three-point demands within 15 days. Their three-point demands include, ST-status, government recognition of the Sarna religion, and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule. Notably, the Kurmi community has long demanded inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and recognition of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, with their push intensifying in recent years. The first major protest began in 2022 and continued for nine days. Recently on September 20, they had launched a statewide Rail Teka Dahar Chheka (Train and Road Blocked) Movement across Jharkhand to press their long-standing demand for ST status, disrupting several trains passing through the state. Protesters had also taken to the tracks at stations including Muri, Tatisilwai, and Mesra, adjacent to the capital, Ranchi. Similar blockades were seen in Bokaro and Giridih, where protesters took control of smaller railway stations, in some places as early as 4:00 am. According to Kurmi activist Amit Mahto, the decision has been taken in the interest of the community's rights and privileges. 'This is a fight for our identity': Jharkhand tribals to rally against Kurmi ST push This time, candidates in Ghatsila will have to work hard to garner votes, as 30,000 to 40,000 members of the Kurmi community will abstain from voting, said Amit Mahto. If the government initiates negotiations on the three-point demands within 15 days, they will reconsider the boycott, he added. Mahto informed that an awareness campaign is being launched regarding the three demands to make everyone in the community aware of their rights. So far, the campaign has been conducted in 93 villages, he said. A meeting of the Kurmi community has also been called in Ghatsila on October 26, where leaders of the community will gather and urge the government to fulfill their demands, said Mahto. According to the agitating leaders, the Kurmi community was listed among the aboriginal tribes under notification no. 550 in 1913 during the British era. However, when the Centre notified ST lists on September 6, 1950, Kurmis were put placed in the list of other backward castes (OBC) in Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha.
Bengaluru: Couple living together dies by suicide after fight
A couple from Odisha, Rakesh Kumar (23) and Seema Nayak (25), were found dead by suicide in their rented Bengaluru home. Neighbours alerted the owner after noticing no response from the locked residence. Police suspect Rakesh died first, followed by Seema, possibly due to Rakesh's suspicions of an affair and alcohol addiction.
Low-pressure area forms over Bay of Bengal, likely to intensify into depression: IMD
A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal. It is expected to intensify into a depression within 36 hours. This system may bring light to moderate rainfall to Odisha. Several districts are under a yellow warning for Tuesday and Wednesday. Thunderstorms with gusty winds are also anticipated in some areas.
Naxalism to become history soon: Rajnath Singh
NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is soon going to be history in India due to the tireless efforts of police and security forces. The minister was speaking on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day. He laid a wreath and took a salute from a ceremonial guard at the National Police Memorial in central Delhi's Chanakyapuri. The success of the campaign against Naxalites can we assessed from the fact that the Maoists, who once took up arms against the state, are today surrendering and integrating themselves into the mainstream of development. Due to the tireless efforts of the security forces, this problem is now on the verge of becoming history. All our security personnel deserve to be congratulated for this, Singh said in his address to the troops. The Centre has declared that the Naxal menace will end in India by March 2026. For a long time, Naxalism has been a problem for our internal security. There was a time when many districts in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra were affected by Naxalism. Schools in villages were closed, there were no roads and people lived in fear. We resolved to not let this problem persist any longer. The way our police, CRPF, BSF and local administration worked together in an organised manner is commendable, Singh said. He said the regions that were once Naxal hubs are now turning into educational hubs. The parts of India that were once infamous as the ed corridor have now transformed into growth corridor. The government has been able to bring about such changes and for this to happen, police and security forces have made a very significant contribution, he said. The minister also spoke about resources and budget for modernisation of police forces being provided by the Modi government. Underlining the need for optimum utilisation of these limited resources, Singh said this can be achieved through coordination and integration among various security agencies. He said in present times, the police not only has to fight crime but also against perception. Police Commemoration Day is observed every year in the memory of 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed on this day in 1959 in an ambush by Chinese troops in Ladakh's Hot Spring area.
Low pressure brewing over Bay of Bengal, Odisha to receive rainfall for next three days: IMD
According to the IMD, the weather system is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over central parts of south Bay of Bengal and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal over the next 48 hours
Rainfall likely to increase further in Odisha and Tamil Nadu, says IMD
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for increasing rainfall in Odisha and Tamil Nadu over the coming days, with a low-pressure area predicted to develop in the southeast Bay of Bengal
Odisha Man Kills Youth for Allegedly Assaulting Daughter
Accused surrenders to police; probe underway into incident at Akhuapada panchayat
Belagavi farmer sparks silent revolution, preserves over 260 traditional paddy varieties
BELAGAVI: A silent revolution is on to preserve desi paddy varieties in a little-known village of Gundenatti in Belagavi district. Shankar Hanumant Langati, a small farmer from this sleepy village, is now a proud custodian of over 260 varieties of paddy that were on the brink of extinction. Shankar, who was forced to discontinue studies after Class 3 because of poverty, never thought that his hobby of collecting traditionally grown paddy varieties and preserving them for posterity would bring him name and fame one day. He lost his father when he was 14 and was left to fend for himself although he inherited three acres of ancestral land. With no help forthcoming, Shankar started grazing cattle in the village and earned Rs 300 a month. He then started working as a farm labourer harvesting sugarcane, paddy and other crops. In 2003, Shankar attended a seed mela organised by Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) and the GREEN Foundation on the advice of Shaarada Dabhade, an activist promoting womens empowerment in rural areas. At the mela, he came across 25 native varieties of paddy that were once popular, but had been ignored by farmers who shifted to high-yielding hybrids. He brought those paddy varieties home and sowed them on his land. Using traditional farming methods, he reaped a good harvest. Encouraged by this, he set out on a mission -- to find, grow, and preserve Indias lost paddy varieties under the guidance of Shivaraj Hunagund of Dharwad and Krishna Prasad of Save Seeds. He visited Belagavi and Dharward districts and parts of Goa to collect native seeds. His mission took him to other rice-growing states such as Odisha, Manipur, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. In recognition of Shankars efforts, the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, gave him 50 native paddy varieties. Shankar embraced traditional farming methods, rejecting chemical pesticides and fertilisers. He also cultivates other seasonal crops. His crop calendar is diverse -- paddy during monsoon, and pulses, vegetables, chickpeas and sunhemp post-monsoon. Marketing strategy Shankar has a trusted customer base for his produce. On the outskirts of Gundenatti, he has constructed a store-cum-warehouse from where farmers and customers buy his products directly. He also goes to Dharwads Gandhi Shanti Pratishthan every Thursday to sell rice, pulses and vegetables. A few years ago, Shankar bought nine more acres of land adjacent to his farm, where he has taken up dairy and fish farming besides cultivating paddy and other crops. Apart from over 260 varieties of rice, his seed bank has coloured chickpeas (green, red, black and white) and red wheat and traditional millets that were on the verge of extinction. Awards & recognition Shankar has visited many countries to study sustainable agriculture and market conditions there. He mentors progressive farmers and farm university students. Scientists too visit his farm to study his cultivation methods. His efforts have earned him awards and recognition from well-known institutions. He has been honoured with the Plant Genome Saviour Award (Government of India, Rs 10 lakh); district and state-level Best Farmer Award; recognition from Art of Living, Dharmasthala Foundation and Karnataka Biodiversity Board; Rice Innovation Farmer Award from ICAR, Hyderabad; and honorary doctorate from Dharwad university. His indigenous paddy varieties have been registered with ICAR. Recently, Shankar released a red rice variety, Surendrasali, which is considered ideal for diabetics. With the help of his two sons, Shankar is now expanding his agri-business and has taken 50 acres on contract in Khanapur taluk. Narrating their early days of struggle, Shankars wife Mahadevi said, We worked as labourers and grazed cattle. My husband has set up a successful agri-business from the scratch. Now, we are reaping the fruits of our labour.
Minor Girl Found Injured In Odisha, Walks To Hospital On Her Own; Rape Suspected
A 17-year-old girl was found bloodied and semi-conscious in Odisha, arrived alone at Capital Hospital, and doctors suspect rape, prompting immediate police notification.
90,000 Applications For 2,620 TG Liquor Shops
Interestingly, businessmen from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Karnataka also submitted applications seeking licences in Telangana: Reports
Congress, BJP candidates file nominations for Nuapada bypoll in Odisha
The BJP is fielding Jay Dholakia, son of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia whose death left the Assembly seat vacant. Congresss Ghasiram Majhi who contested the last years Assembly polls as an Independent candidate had finished second.
Odisha Police Busts Sex Racket In Bhubaneswar After Rescue Of Minor Girl
Two women, including the mastermind, arrested; male suspect goes absconding
Aditya Aluminium Commissions Odishas First 200 KLD MVR-Based ZLD Plant
Sets new benchmark in sustainable water management
BJP, Congress Candidates File Nominations For Odishas Nuapada Bypoll
Naveen Patnaik to lead BJD campaign; CM Mohan Majhi to lead BJP: Reports
Amid wave of mass surrenders, another Maoist leader urges cadres to lay down arms in Chhattisgarh
RAIPUR: The recent mass surrenders of Maoists at Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) have led a senior leader of Udanti Area Committee, active along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, to appeal to cadres active in the region to lay down their arms and rejoin the mainstream. A one-page letter in Hindi issued in the name of Maoist leader Sunil, has cited the surrender with weapons led by Sonu Dada in Maharashtra and Rupesh Dada in Chhattisgarh hinting the pressure of the security forces and inability to operate the mission of CPI (Maoist) in the present context asked the comrades to halt the armed struggle but will continue to resolve the problems of the people. So, our Udanti Area in the Gariaband region decided to stop the armed movement. I appealed to all unitsGobra, Sinapali, SDK (Sonabeda-Dharambandha-Kholibatar area), Sitanadi, to decide at the earliest, as we have already lost several key senior leaders. We support the decision taken by Sonu Dada and Rupesh Dada. Join with your arms (to surrender), stated the letter that also carried the mobile phone number of Sunil for the members of the region. Gariaband district police chief Nikhil Rakhecha welcomed the move of Maoists to renounce the path of violence and return to society. We are hopeful that the remaining Maoist cases will respond positively to the letter apparently shared with the media. We are also trying to reach out to them for their surrender with weapons, Rakhecha told the TNIE . Gariaband, adjoining Odisha state, is among the Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh. The Udanti Area Committee covers adjoining regions along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. In a major development, 210 Naxal cadres, including 111 women, surrendered to police and paramilitary forces in Jagdalpur, Bastar district, on Friday. Earlier, senior Maoist politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi , along with 60 other hardcore militants, had surrendered in Gadchiroli. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India is likely to be free of Maoist influence by March 2026.
Police seized 16 kg ganja in Secunderabad, two arrested
Hyderabad: The Special Task Force arrested two persons for possessing 16.054 kg of ganja worth Rs 8 lakh near Alpha Hotel in Secunderabad on Saturday, October 18. Murali Naik and Kalacharan, both natives of Odisha, were apprehended while trying to sell the drug to suppliers in Mumbai. Police said that the men were waiting for 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 .
Over 3,000 Cases, Arrests in Ernakulam Rural District Police Crackdown on Drug Activities
Most of the drugs, primarily cannabis, arrive in the State from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and are brought by migrant workers: Police
Odisha govt declares two-day holiday for Diwali
Odisha government employees will enjoy a two-day holiday for Diwali this year. The state has declared October 20 and October 21 as holidays. However, employees will need to work on October 25, a Saturday. An exception is made for Nuapada district, where October 20 will be a working day due to nomination filings for a bypoll.
The alleged case of gang rape of an Odisha girl student in Durgapur creates another public outcry. But when the tables turn and the police throw out the gang rape theory, we are left with an issue far more serious: How India treats its girl child The post A Cry in The Wilderness appeared first on India Legal .
BJP, Congress, BJD line up heavyweights for campaign in high-stakes Nuapada bypoll in Odisha
Nuapada town in Odisha is gearing up for a high-profile bypoll campaign on November 11. Top leaders from BJP, Congress, and BJD, including three chief ministers and three former chief ministers, will campaign for votes. The election was necessitated by the death of a BJD MLA. Over 2.53 lakh voters will cast their ballots in this intense political contest.
Odisha: Paradip Villagers Embrace JSW Steel Project, Citing Jobs
Over half of the participants at the community gathering held near the project were women associated with JSWs Sustainable Livelihood Project
Four arrested in Odisha for role in massive recruitment scam
Plans were hatched to coach aspirants in Vizianagaram and Digha, said Crime Branch
13 of 17 State-run universities soon to have regular VCs, says Odisha Governor
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati expresses concern over large vacancies in higher education institutes
Video Reel Addition: Class 9 Student Critically Injured In Fire Stunt Mishap In Odisha
Dangerous social media trend blamed for tragic incident
Odisha Police Announces Rs 4.3 Crore Reward For Information On Maoists
In a major crackdown against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the Odisha Police has rolled out a new incentive scheme offering cash rewards worth Rs 4.3 crore for information leading to the arrest of active Maoists or intelligence on their whereabouts.
Odisha Governor Tracks States Progress Through Raj Bhavan Dashboard
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday held an interactive session with journalists from national and regional media, where he elaborated on the proactive role of Raj Bhavan in monitoring governance and ensuring effective delivery of public services.
Jharkhand woman allegedly gang-raped, murdered on suspicion of practising black-magic; three held
RANCHI: In a horrific incident, a 60-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped by three men and then strangled to death on suspicion of practising black-magic in West Singhbhum. According to the police, all three accused persons have been arrested based on a complaint filed by the woman's husband. During interrogation, one of the accused made a startling revelation. One of them claimed that his one-year-old child had been unwell for a long time, and rumours spread in the village that the woman was a witch responsible for the childs illness. Driven by superstition, the accused, along with his two accomplices, barged into the womans house on the night of October 12, gang-raped her, and strangled her to death. The police informed that the victim was the second wife of a 60-year-old man residing at a village under Ghagharbeda police station in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. They further added that she was living separately from her husband in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) confirmed that the child's father, along with two of his accomplices, entered the victim's home and committed the crime on Sunday night. The incident occurred Sunday night; the three accused raped and strangled her to death in her home, said Jagannathpur SDPO Rafael Murmu. Then, they took the body to a check-dam and covered it with stones; had it not been recovered, it would have decomposed there after a few days, he added. The SDPO said that the FIR was filed on Wednesday, based on her husband's statement, who was informed about the incident a bit late. The body has been sent for post-mortem, he said.
Naidu calls for evaluation of A.P.s mineral wealth, moots mining lease quota for Vaddera community
State can generate up to 30,000 crore revenue by emulating Odisha which earns over 50,000 crore annually from minerals through value-added processing, says Chief Minister
BJP names Morpal Suman as Anta assembly bypoll candidate in Rajasthan
The BJP has announced Morpal Suman as its candidate for the Anta assembly seat bypoll in Rajasthan. Voting for eight assembly by-elections across multiple states, including Rajasthan, will occur on November 11, with results expected on November 14. The party has also named candidates for seats in Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Telangana.
Political tempers flare up in the campaign for Odisha bypoll
Taking a dig at former CM Naveen Patnaik, Odisha CM Mohan Majhi accused him of making false promises during elections and conveniently forgetting them once polls were over
PM Modi Launches Rs 1,200-Crore Railway Projects in Visakhapatnam Region
Modi dedicated two newly completed railway doubling projects to the nation in Kottavalasa-Boddavara section and Shimiliguda-Gorapur section, which span Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Odisha CM Majhi Hits Bypoll Campaign Trail
Odisha CM vows rapid development as BJD, Congress leaders join BJP ahead of key vote
Odisha Man Poses As Maoist To Extort Rs 35 Lakh From Father, Arrested
In a shocking case, a 24-year-old young man was arrested on charges of attempting to dupe his father by posing as a fake Maoist and demanding Rs 35 lakh as extortion in Odisha's Kalahandi district, police said.
Bengal Governor files report on Durgapur gang rape to President, Home Ministry: Official
In the report, Mr. Bose has given a detailed account of his findings in the case and also about his interactions with the survivor and her parents who hail from Odisha
BJD slams Odisha CM for making his conversation with West Bengal rape survivor public
Despite recurrence of rape and gangrape incidents in Odisha over the last 15 months, the CM remained silent, charged Sulata Deo, BJD Rajya Sabha MP
BJD Fields Snehangini Chhuria for Nuapada Bypoll
BJD president Naveen Patnaik described Chhuria as a strong leader from Western Odisha who has always stood by the poor, the downtrodden, and women in particular.
Durgapur gang rape: After initial criticism, victim's father apologises to 'mother-like' Mamata
KOLKATA: Two days after claiming that West Bengal is under Aurangzeb's rule, the father of the Durgapur gang rape victim on Wednesday described Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a mother-like figure and urged her to forgive him if he had said anything wrong against her. He also appealed to Banerjee to help his daughter get justice, but said he wants to take his daughter back home in Odisha. Mamata Banerjee is like a mother-like figure to me. If I have said anything wrong, I ask her to forgive me. I will render countless obeisance at her feet. But I ask her to help my daughter get justice, he told television channels on Wednesday. The father of the MBBS student on Monday criticised Banerjee's remarks that women should not venture out at night, saying that he no longer felt safe in West Bengal. It seems Bengal is under the rule of Aurangzeb. I want to take my daughter back to Odisha. Her life comes first, career later, he had said. On Wednesday, the father said he would take his daughter back home once she was declared fit by the treating doctors. I have been demanding a CBI probe into this case. I think that would be good. But that depends on the state administration as well, he said. He said he does not want his daughter to stay in the state any longer. Let Sonar Bangla be Sonar Bangla, but I'm taking my daughter back home. I had high hopes that she would become a doctor by studying here. I don't want other daughters in Bengal to face the same torment, the father said. The second-year MBBS student was allegedly gang-raped when she had gone out of the private medical college campus with a male friend to fetch food on the evening of October 10. Police have so far arrested six people, including the friend, for their alleged involvement in the crime, which has sparked a huge political uproar in the state.
Odisha Woman Official Drops Daughter At School, Then Found Hanging At Home
A woman agriculture officer was found hanging in her rented house in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Wednesday, police said. Police identified the woman as Niharika Dalai, 30, a native of Randia village under Bhadrak Rural police station.
78 Maoists lay down arms in Chhattisgarh's Bastar
RAIPUR: In a major blow to the banned outfit CPI (Maoist), as many as 78 cadres, including 43 women, have surrendered in the districts of Sukma, Kanker, and Kondagaon in Chhattisgarhs Bastar division on Wednesday. The mass surrender in Chhattisgarh follows Tuesdays significant development when a senior Maoist politburo member, Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi, along with 60 other hardcore ultras , laid down their arms in the Gadchiroli district of neighboring Maharashtra. In Chhattisgarh, the Red rebels who surrendered separately before authorities in the edgy Bastar region also deposited over three dozen weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai cited the move to give up the armed struggle as the collapsing of Left-wing extremism in the country. Our brave security forces are fighting this battle with indomitable courage and are achieving success, the CM said. In Sukma district, 27 Maoists, including ten women, gave up their arms. Among them, as many as 16 were carrying a collective bounty of $50 lakh, officials said. In Kanker district, 50 Maoists, including two members of the DKSZC and 32 female cadres, turned themselves in at a Border Security Force (BSF) camp. A woman cadre, carrying a bounty of $5 lakh, surrendered in Kondagaon district. The Dandakaranya region comprises the Bastar region and the border areas of Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Kanker shares its border with Maharashtras Gadchiroli. Maoists in a group led by Rajman Mandavi and Raju Salam, both members of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), reached the BSFs Kamtera camp of the 40th battalion at Koylaibeda in Kanker and surrendered. They also surrendered 39 weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles, two Self-Loading Rifles, four INSAS rifles, an INSAS LMG (light machine gun), and a Sten gun, a senior police officer said. The surrendered cadres include five members of the divisional committee, Tadami, Heeralal Komra, Jugnu Kowachi, Narsingh Netam, and Nande (wife of Rajman Mandavi). The others included 21 area committee members and 21 party members, he revealed. Those who surrendered in Sukma before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force officials cited disillusionment with the hollow Maoist ideology, atrocities committed by the banned outfit on innocent tribals, and the growing influence of security forces as reasons for shunning the path of armed movement, said Kiran Chavan, Sukma district police chief. The surrendered Maoists were also impressed by the 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme of the state government, aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages, and the lucrative new surrender and rehabilitation policy, the officer added. Since the BJP came to power in December 2023 in Chhattisgarh, around 2,000 Maoists have surrendered in the state.
Nuapada Bypoll: BJP, Congress Declare Candidates; Suspense Builds Over BJDs Pick
The political temperature in Odishas Nuapada is rising as the assembly by-election approaches, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress having announced their candidates, while the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) continues to keep its cards close to its chest.
Odisha Police Bust Interstate Drug Racket; 5 Held with 350 kg Ganja, 2 Pistols
Koraput SP lauded the efforts of SDPO Jeypore Parth Kashyap and his team for the coordinated and courageous operation, saying the action reaffirms the district polices commitment to dismantling organised crime and safeguarding public safety.
Only three districts now most affected by Naxalism: MHA
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday said that the districts most affected by Naxalism have been brought down to three. Now, only Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh are the most affected districts by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), the ministry said in a statement that came as 88 members of CPI (Maoist) surrendered in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra in yet another success for the anti-Naxal campaign. In a giant stride towards the Modi government's vision of building a Naxal-free Bharat, the number of districts most affected by Naxalism has been brought down to three from six, the ministry said. In the category of LWE affected districts, the number has also been further brought down to just 11 from 18. These 11 districts that are Left Wing Extremism affected, including the three most affected, are: Bijapur, Dantewada, Gariyaband, Kanker, Mohalla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Narayanpur and Sukma (all Chhattisgarh), West Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) and Kandhamal (Odisha). The Modi government is committed to completely eradicating the Naxal menace by the 31st of March 2026, the statement reiterated. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the operational successes have surpassed all previous records this year wherein 312 LWE cadres have been eliminated, including CPI (Maoist) General Secretary and 08 other Polit Bureau/ Central Committee Members, the MHA said. As many as 836 LWE cadres have been arrested and 1,639 have surrendered and joined the mainstream. The surrendered Naxalites include one Politburo Member and a Central Committee Member. Under the Modi government, unprecedented success has been achieved in combating the Naxal menace through rigorous implementation of the National Action Plan and Policy, which envisages a multi-pronged approach, the statement said. The action plan includes precise intelligence-based and people-friendly counter-LWE operations. These steps were accompanied by swift domination of areas with a security vacuum, targeting of top leaders as well as over-ground workers, countering the nefarious ideology, rapid development of infrastructure and saturation of welfare schemes, choking of finances, enhanced coordination between states and centre governments and accelerated investigation and prosecution of Maoist-related cases. Once called India's iggest internal security challenge by the then prime minister in 2010, Naxalism is now visibly retreating. Naxals had planned a Red Corridor - stretching from Pashupati in Nepal to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, the statement said. In 2013, 126 districts from different states reported Naxal-related violence but by March 2025, this tally had fallen to just 18 districts, with only six classified as 'Most Affected Districts', it said.
Mahindra Logistics leases 4.75 lakh sq ft warehouse in Kolkata
Mahindra Logistics is expanding its presence in eastern India. The company has leased a large warehousing space in Howrah, near Kolkata. This move will boost its services across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the Northeast. Eastern India is becoming a key logistics hub due to improved infrastructure and growing demand.
Jindal Stainless Gains on Plan to Double Slag Processing Capacity at Odisha Plant
New Delhi, October 15 (Daily Kiran): Shares of Jindal Stainless (JSL) rose after the company announced plans to double its slag processing capacity by setting up a new wet milling plant at its Jajpur, Odisha facility. The stock was trading at Rs. 789.75, up by 13.95 points or 1.80% from its previous close of Rs. ... Read more Jindal Stainless Gains on Plan to Double Slag Processing Capacity at Odisha Plant
BJP announces Jay Dholakia as candidate for Nuapada bypoll in Odisha
Jay Dholakia had joined the BJP last week. His late father, Rajendra Dholakia, was a senior BJD leader and a minister in Naveen Patnaik Government
Jindal Stainless announces $150 million investment for slag processing unit
Jindal Stainless has announced a $150 million investment to set up a second slag processing unit at its Jajpur facility in Odisha, in a 15-year partnership with Harsco Environmental. The plant will recover metals from industrial waste, supporting the companys expanded capacity and long-term circularity goals.
BJP names candidates for assembly bypolls in various states
The BJP has announced its candidates for upcoming by-elections across several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Telangana. Voting for assembly bypolls in eight constituencies spanning multiple states is scheduled for November 11, with vote counting on November 14.
Bengaluru police bust call centre, arrest 16 people
BENGALURU: Sixteen employees, including two women, of a fake BPO firm in HSR Layout have been arrested for defrauding people from the US and Canada. The accused were reportedly putting their victims under digital arrest to extort them. Details of the main accused are not yet known. On October 7, the HSR Layout police inspector received credible information that a fake BPO company, Cybits Solutions Pvt Ltd, had hired around 20-25 employees, all through the online process. After three weeks of training, employees were instructed to call customers. The arrested are, A Francis (29), R Karthik Raju Vadyanam (25), R Sunil (30), A Aravind Anni Poojari (31), L Inder Lalmanee Yadav (31), P Rohan (28), R Rishit Ramesh Saliyan (23), P Guru Prasanna (32), from Maharashtra; F Minot Kankai (32), R Remison Bamon (30), K Phani Leybha Nangzi (27), F Eljiba Mary Marbaning (23), all from Meghalaya; B Rakesh Kumar Singh (29), of Odisha, S Ramakrishna Soni (43), from Madhya Pradesh, P Priyanka Gurung (24), from West Bengal and G Madhev Singh (28), from Gujarat. Of the 16 accused, eight are from Maharashtra, four from Meghalaya and one each from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat. The accused were cheating people through internet calls, said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh. 41 computers, two attendance registers, four script notebooks, 25 mobile phones and ID cards, one IP device, four routers, and four modems were recovered. The accused allegedly contacted US citizens by phone, falsely claiming that they were from US law enforcement. They would intimidate victims, alleging their involvement in drug trafficking or money laundering cases. Under the pretext of helping them, they would demand money to settle the matter. A suo motu case was registered by the police, he said. Employees said the company had advertised jobs on online portals. The company managers had lured job seekers by providing houses to everyone, cabs and food, said an officer. The defrauded amounts were deposited into the companys wallets or bank accounts.
Kerala HC 2nd in hearing pre-arrest bail pleas bypassing sessions court
KOCHI: At a time when the Supreme Court has expressed disapproval of High Courts directly entertaining applications for anticipatory bail, bypassing the sessions court, statistics reveal that the Kerala High Court has granted a large number of such bails to suspects. According to a report filed by the amicus curiae before the Supreme Court after collecting data from all High Courts, the Kerala High Court granted anticipatory bail to 3,286 persons between July 1, 2024, and September 1, 2025. While 97 pleas were allowed in part, two pleas were allowed on conditions during the period, the report said. A total of 9,215 pre-arrest bail applications were filed under Section 482 of the BNSS before the Kerala High Court, of which 7,449 were filed directly without first approaching the sessions court. As per the report, Kerala ranked second among states, while Odisha topped the list by granting pre-arrest bail to 8,801 persons. In Odisha, 18,340 petitions were filed, of which 17,978 were filed before the High Court at the first instance. The report also noted that there are no specific circulars, notifications, or practice directions issued by the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on the administrative side regarding the filing of pre-arrest bail applications directly before the High Court. The amicus curiae recommended that it would be appropriate for the Supreme Court to lay down guidelines stipulating that a litigants best interest would be served by approaching the Court of Sessions first under Section 438 of the CrPC / Section 482 of the BNSS. To ensure improved access to justice, we must endeavour to empower the District and Sessions Judiciary, which forms the first point of interface for citizens in the context of anticipatory bail, the amicus curiae stated. The report also highlighted the practical benefits of approaching the sessions court first, as these courts are geographically more accessibleparticularly for people residing in remote and rural areascompared to High Courts, which are typically located in state capitals. Senior Advocate Chitambaresh V, counsel for the Kerala High Court, informed the Supreme Court that around 80% of bail applicants have been approaching the High Court directly. This practice of hop, skip, and jump, he argued, ought to be deprecated. A direct, first-instance invocation of the High Courts concurrent jurisdiction should be discouraged and permitted only in special or exceptional circumstances, to be judicially assessed and recorded on a case-by-case basis. Kerala HC anticipatory bail plea statistics Allowed: 3,286 Allowed in part: 97 Allowed on condition: 2 Dismissed: 601 Dismissed as withdrawn: 355 Closed: 655 (These cases include anticipatory bail applications which are closed on the basis of the instruction that no case has been registered against the petitioner or that the petitioner is not arrayed as an accused or that the petitioner is out of India, etc.) Disposed of: 1,987 (These cases include anticipatory bail applications which are disposed of with a direction to surrender before the Jurisdictional Magistrate and to apply for regular bail, interim orders made absolute, etc.)
Subsidised food to be stopped for beneficiaries with no verified eKYC, says Odisha Govt
It is the governments responsibility to identify beneficiaries whose eKYC has not been verified, but instead it has completely shifted this responsibility onto the beneficiaries, says activist
Durgapur gang rape case: police reconstruct crime scene; male friend arrested
Evidence, survivors statement suggest one person committed assault, the role of others is being ascertained: police; Odisha MP Sarangi meets survivor; BJP decries W.B.s worsening law and order
Crime against women in eastern state is a serious issue; it should not be exploited by Opposition West Bengal has been rocked by a gangrape of student of a private medical college located in its Paschim Bardhaman district. The student of medicine hailing from Odisha was allegedly raped by some men in Durgapur. The incident []
PM Modi To Inaugurate Waltair Railway Projects From Kurnool
The PM will remotely launch these projects when he visits Kurnool, dedicating several critical railway projects that will enhance operational capacity and reduce congestion across the Waltair division, which serves key routes in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
BJP Set to Field Jay Dholakia for Nuapada Bypoll; CM Majhi to Lead Nomination Rally
If confirmed, Jay Dholakias candidature could prove strategically significant for the BJP, which has been seeking to consolidate its base in western Odisha a region that has become politically volatile after the saffron partys strong showing in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Two Migrant Workers Killed, One Injured in Lightning Strike in Kannur
The victims from Assam and Odisha were walking back to a quarry when lightning struck suddenly in Keralas Kannur district
Road crash in J&K leaves three dead
KATRA/JAMMU: Two Vaishnodevi pilgrims were among three killed and two others injured when a three-wheeler collided with a bus in Katra on Tuesday, officials said. The bus was heading from Katra towards Udhampur when the accident took place near Serli check post in Katra. Those killed in the accident were identified as auto driver Jeet Lal and pilgrims Vachitar Kumar Sahu, and Joginder Matari (66), residents of Odisha. Two other injured devotees -- Kavita Sahu and Sneh Lata Matari from Odisha -- were referred to Jammu after receiving preliminary treatment.
Union Min Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews fertiliser availability as Rabi season demand set to rise
NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday reviewed the availability of fertilisers for the ongoing Rabi cropping season, cautioning officials to ensure adequate and timely supply amid expectations of a surge in demand. Officials said the demand for fertilisers is projected to rise sharply this Rabi season (OctoberMay) owing to higher water storage levels in 161 reservoirs across the country, currently holding 103.51% of last years capacity and 115% of the ten-year average. During the high-level review meeting, the minister assessed Kharif crop outcomes, Rabi sowing preparations, and the prevailing price and supply trends of fertilisers. He asked departments to maintain close coordination with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to prevent any distribution disruptions. The move follows the fertiliser shortages witnessed during the Kharif season , which triggered protests and sporadic clashes in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. Officials attributed the crisis to black marketing, low domestic production, and reduced imports from Chinafactors that created a demand-supply mismatch amid increased sowing of paddy and maize. Despite shortages, total Kharif acreage expanded by 6.51 lakh hectares to 112.14 million hectares this year, driven by a rise in paddy and maize cultivation. Officials informed that sowing of tomato and onion crops is progressing smoothly, with no indications of price pressure. The cultivated area under onion has increased to 3.91 lakh hectares from 3.62 lakh hectares last year, while potato acreage has gone up to 0.43 lakh hectares from 0.35 lakh hectares. Similarly, tomato cultivation now covers 2.37 lakh hectares, up from 1.86 lakh hectares in the previous year. The ministry also confirmed that food grain stocks remain above the buffer norms, ensuring stability in supply. Meanwhile, Minister Chouhan will visit Ludhiana on October 14 to meet families affected by recent floods. He will also inaugurate a maize research centre and interact with members of self-help groups during his visit.
Odisha CM assures Durgapur gang rape survivor of full support
The Chief Minister also spoke to the survivor's mother and Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) chairperson Shovana Mohanty, who was present at the hospital
Iconic Durbar hall of Paralakhemundi Palace faces neglect & environmental threat: INTACH report
BHUBANESHWAR, Oct 13 : The historic Durbar Hall of Paralakhemundi Palace, an architectural marvel that played a pivotal role in Odishas statehood movement in 1936, is now facing serious threats from environmental degradation and neglect, according to a report released by Matriarch and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The detailed report, prepared by Conservation Architect Anisa Swain, who recently led a team from Matriarch Architecture and Conservation along with INTACH members to Paralakhemundi, describes the [] The post Iconic Durbar hall of Paralakhemundi Palace faces neglect & environmental threat: INTACH report appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Poverty Pushes Odisha Woman To Sell Newborn At Rs 25,000
The motive behind the alleged sale remains uncertain. Police and child welfare officials have begun a thorough investigation to trace the woman, verify the reported transaction, and ensure the safety of the baby.
Durgapur gangrape: Two more arrested; victim's father 'worried about safety'
Two more arrests were made in the Durgapur gangrape case, bringing the total to five. While a TMC MP advised women to be cautious about late-night travel, the BJP criticized the statement. The victim's father plans to move his daughter to Odisha due to safety concerns, as the Chief Minister promises stringent action.
Durgapur gangrape: Survivor's father says he wants to take daughter back to Odisha
The father of an MBBS student allegedly gangraped in Durgapur expressed safety concerns and criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's remarks. He plans to transfer his daughter back to Odisha, citing the state's deteriorating law and order. The incident has sparked protests and renewed debate on women's safety.
KOLKATA: A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced condemnation for advising female students to not venture out at night, senior TMC leader Saugata Roy on Monday said that women should exercise caution, as the police cannot be everywhere at once. Roy claimed that women's safety in the state is better compared to other regions. Such cases are rare in Bengal. Women's safety in Bengal is better than in any other place. But women shouldn't leave their colleges so late at night, as the police can't patrol everywhere. Police cannot be present on every road; police can take action after an incident occurs. So, women should also be cautious, Roy told reporters in Kolkata. Whatever the chief minister has said is absolutely correct, he said. His comments came after a 23-year-old second-year MBBS student of a private medical college was allegedly gang-raped near her campus on the night of October 10. According to police reports, the survivor, a native of Odisha, was returning from dinner with a friend when three men accosted her near Shobhapur in the industrial township. The accused allegedly snatched her phone, dragged her into a wooded area, and raped her before demanding money to return her belongings. The West Bengal Police on Monday arrested two more persons in connection with the case, taking the total number of arrests to five. Three accused were taken into custody on October 12. Mamata Banerjee is a 'blot on womanhood', says BJP over her remarks on Durgapur gangrape incident
Court remands 2 more accused in Durgapur medical student 'gangrape' case to 9-day police custody
Two men arrested in connection with the alleged gangrape of a medical student in West Bengal's Paschim Bardhaman district were remanded to nine days police custody. This follows three other accused being sent to 10-day custody. The medical college student from Odisha was allegedly attacked outside her campus on Friday night.
Durgapur rape case: Victim's father refutes Mamatas claim, criticises remark on womens safety
A medical student's father refuted West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's claim about the timing of her assault, stating it occurred between 8-9 pm, not after midnight. He also criticized Banerjee's remark about women avoiding late-night outings. Odisha officials reviewed the investigation, deeming it satisfactory with three arrests made within 36 hours.
`Two more arrested in Durgapur gang rape case; all five accused in custody`
A second-year student of a private medical college in Durgapur, originally from Jaleswar in Odishas Balasore district, was allegedly attacked on the night of October 10 while outside the campus with a male friend for dinner
Bengal gangrape: Two more arrested; all five accused now in custody
Kolkata: The West Bengal Police on Monday arrested two more persons in connection with the alleged gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur, taking the total number of apprehensions in the case to five, a senior officer said. The 23-year-old woman hailing from Jaleswar in Odishas Balasore district was gang-raped on Friday night when 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 .
Odisha man arrested for spreading hate speech in social media
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Police has arrested a 19-year-old Muslim teenager for allegedly spreading communal hatred through social media, a senior officer said on Monday. The cyber crime police arrested the accused, identified as Arshad Alli (19), on Sunday night in connection with a case registered on the basis of a written complaint lodged by an 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 .
Two more arrested in Durgapur rape case; all five accused now in custody: Bengal Police
KOLKATA: The West Bengal Police on Monday arrested two more persons in connection with the alleged gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur , taking the total number of apprehensions in the case to five, a senior officer said. The 23-year-old woman, hailing from Jaleswar in Odisha's Balasore district was gang-raped on Friday night when she went outside the private medical college with a friend to have dinner. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhisekh Gupta of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate told PTI, Two more arrests have been made. With these, all five accused have been taken into custody based on the complaint filed by the woman. Three persons were arrested on Sunday for their alleged involvement in the 'gang rape' of the student. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as shocking and said her government has 'zero tolerance' for such crimes. However, she also urged women not to venture out alone late at night, a remark that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and women's rights groups. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that at least one of the arrested accused is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker. Reacting to the claim, TMC spokesperson Debanshu Bhattacharya said, Even if he is a party worker, it must be appreciated that the TMC has zero tolerance for crimes. Had this incident occurred in a BJP-ruled state, the accused would have been garlanded instead. The incident has also triggered sharp reactions from neighbouring Odisha, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging his West Bengal counterpart to ensure the strictest punishment for the culprits. Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) chairperson Sovana Mohanty will also reach West Bengal during the day and she would speak to the survivor and check her health condition, and meet her parents and hold discussions with the local police.
Odisha native succumbs to burns from gas cylinder fire in Keralas Kannur
Four Odisha natives were injured in the fire incident
West Bengal Police arrest fourth accused in Durgapur gangrape case
West Bengal Police have arrested the fourth accused in the alleged gang rape of a second-year medical student in Durgapur, Odisha. Three other suspects were already in 10-day police custody. The survivor, from Odisha, was allegedly attacked on Friday night.
She Feels No Pain: Odisha WC Chief Slams Mamata
Mohanty said Banerjee does not feel the pain of the victim and urged her to focus on womens safety in West Bengal
Cyber crimes are seeing a downward trend in Bengaluru
While traditional crimes have seen a dip, cyber crimes have recorded an exponential spike over the years. But, said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, the number of cyber crimes is seeing a downward trend over the last two years and awareness is the key in bringing it down further. In an interaction with TNIE, he spoke about several issues -- from crimes, technology in policing, to the never-say-die drug menace, and, of course, the notorious city traffic. Excerpts. As Bengaluru police commissioner, what are the major challenges you see in the city, and how are the police handling them? Bengaluru is a happening city and has a lot of people from outside and from different professions. If we observe the crime trend in Bengaluru, we have different types of crimes -- cyber crimes related to one sector, bodily offences by construction workers and crimes restricted to particular areas. Crime patterns are changing and police need to keep updating themselves. We are seeing good results. Bengaluru traffic is another major issue. How useful is technology in identifying changing crime patterns? The Integrated Command Centre gives an analysis of crime patterns. We have 320 112 vehicles and we get around 2,000 calls per day. We observed that the crimes are less at night, just 10% of what we see during the day. Based on this, we altered manpower and deputed them to checkpoint duty. Such interventions have helped reduce small crimes. Our initiatives like Safety Island and other safety apps are helping people in distress and allowing us to catch culprits quickly. All these apps are run on artificial intelligence (AI). Right from the call from the public, to the time the vehicle departs to the spot and the feedback is received, everything is managed by AI tech. We can say that our response time is less than 10 minutes within which our men can reach any spot in Bengaluru. With the introduction of technology in law enforcement, we are seeing a decrease in the number of on-ground police personnel. Dont you think the presence of police personnel adds to public safety? Its a good point. Since I have become commissioner, I have ensured that foot patrolling goes on in sensitive areas. Technology adds to our work, but we cannot do away with manual policing. We do have nearly 23,000-strength force in the city and want it deployed on the streets as much as possible. We have to make ourselves visible and serve our beats. Technology and manpower go hand-in-hand. What is being done to address Bengalurus infamous traffic? As of now, there is a lot of infrastructure work going on. After the Greater Bengaluru Authority was formed, the city has been split into five corporations and there is improved coordination among parastatal agencies. Anything that affects free flow of traffic is immediately addressed. Our traffic police are advised not to focus on booking cases, but managing traffic. The long-term measures are upgrading police stations, increasing staff and automating traffic signals. Our Cobra bikes will focus on illegally parked vehicles obstructing traffic. We have identified 96 high-density corridors in the city where towing will start soon. What is your view on road rage? In my opinion, traffic congestion has to be blamed partly (as it frustrates people). We take road rage seriously. Hoysala patrol vehicles help a lot by reaching the spot quickly and defusing the situation. Given the transition of BBMP into GBA, do you think the Bengaluru police could benefit from restructuring as well? We operate at the station level. Our network and pattern of operation is entirely different. We just need to keep parity with the increase in population by adding more police stations. I dont think there is a problem at this juncture. We have informed deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) that GBA commissioners know their areas well and that their operation is entirely different from our work. You mentioned that police stations can be added. When will that need be felt? Are you in conversation with the government regarding this? You must have noticed the addition of three police stations on the outskirts of the city. We dont need to add more stations within the city for now, but the strength of the force can be increased sufficiently. It is adequate as of now, but we can add more to serve specialised wings coming up. We will do it as and when required. One in four crimes are cyber crimes. What is being done to curb them? The number of cyber crimes has gone down this year and it reduced even last year. We can say that there is increased awareness among the public as they dont share OTPs easily now. However, cyber fraudsters are innovating ways to fool people. We have instructed our officials that immediately after they find out a new modus operandi, people should be informed through social media along with solutions to avoid it. What demographics do fraudsters belong to? Fraudsters and criminals are not based here, but victims are. Its perhaps because the city is financially developed due to the number of IT employees here. New modus operandi (MO) come up every day. We have mandated our departments to post on social media every time a new MO comes up, so that people are aware and do not fall victim. Every week, we have a cyber cell meeting to discuss new developments. Can you tell us a bit about the Mane Manege Police programme? The programme is almost one-and-a-half-months old. It is going on well, and it is very intensive. We are prioritising senior citizens and desolate people. A good example of the programmes efficacy was a drug bust we succeeded in based on information and valuable leads secured from the programme. Since you mention drugs, how big a problem is it in Bengaluru? It is not specific to Bengaluru. Nevertheless, it is a place where both transit and consumption happen rampantly; it is quite a serious issue. We cannot blame any specific community, but many foreign nationals here on expired visas are culpable. International courier and road transport are also major routes. This year, we have seized more than Rs 81 crore worth of drugs. We urge people to report such cases, under the promise of anonymity. We are also banking on inter-agency cooperation (involving the Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau, etc) to tackle this. It has to be a joint effort. We also look inward: 11 of our staff have been dismissed because they were found to have links with drug peddlers. When we have zero tolerance towards drugs, involvement of our men cant be tolerated. This must have also sent a message to our staff who are engaging in such illegal activities. It is a continuous process. Your counterparts in Mangaluru and Belagavi are conducting random blood sample tests on students and others. How do you look at it? Do you propose to do it in Bengaluru? It is a very ticklish issue. In my opinion unless and until we have specific information we must not go ahead as it is invading the privacy of someone. The Mangaluru and Belagavi police must have had some information. When we have information here, we take our Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) team. Recently, we raided a five-star hotel and a pub and took blood samples. We take blood samples when we have a little bit of information. Randomly doing something is not correct in my opinion. What is the role of citizens in stopping drug menace? Citizens must give information to us, then we will take care of the issue. We will maintain confidentiality. The information can be put on the app of the city police. Details of those giving information will not be known. We have to see how a drug consumer is trapped and how to get him/her out of it. The department has tied up with rehabilitation centres. We have Well Being Officers, who keep interacting with our own staff who may have all kinds of problems. Some of them may be addicted to liquor. We have got information about some people who are into drugs through the Well Being Officers. It is very difficult to get peddlers, who use online platforms like dark net to supply drugs. We have very good technology with our crime branch. We use decoy customers and monitor online platforms. How do you compare the crime scene in Bengaluru with other metro cities? In my experience of working in Bengaluru, it is a safe place compared to other cities. It is a cosmopolitan city. People from everywhere work here and are busy with their own professions. A crime here is highlighted because of the IT sector and the city being on the world map. The police are careful here and do not take chances. We are very sensitive to issues, especially regarding women and children. The department has a lot of infrastructure. The city is geographically not so big compared to other cities. We can cover each and every area fast. Not only now, it has always been safe here. This is the reason why so many people come and settle here. Are crimes like the killing of spouses or those related to college students on the rise in Bengaluru? Is it a worrying trend? Spouse killings are all personal issues. We are in a society where no one has time for each other. Bengaluru is a happening city. Now nothing is a taboo. It is a pan-India phenomenon, not specific to Bengaluru. It is happening even in rural areas. The city has a lot of cultural mix as people from everywhere come here. Colleges should take up sensitisation issues. Recently, some students were involved in an incident and the college was asked to take action against students. Some police stations like SG Palya, Soladevanahalli and KR Puram have only educational institutions under their jurisdiction. Most of the time, policemen will be interacting with students. In some instances, the police have called parents of students when they are caught for something. Is the number of women in the police force increasing? Yes. Of the 25 DCPs in the city, five are women. All new recruitments are being done with the 33% new quota for women. Did you always want to be a police officer, or were you interested in any other profession? Since my childhood, I wanted to be in the administrative services. I was fascinated by government jobs in uniform since my father was in the Army. How much time do you get to spend with your family? I make sure to take time out and enjoy moments with my family. We work under a lot of pressure, so I always tell my juniors to spend time with their families. How do you handle a crisis? I strongly believe in teamwork. When we face a crisis, I call my joint commissioners, and we sit together to discuss solutions. I also encourage them to discuss matters with their subordinates. We have a workforce of around 23,000. What the commissioner says should reach the last constable. Without interacting with juniors and understanding the intensity of a problem, we cant find effective solutions. In fact, many of the best solutions come from my junior staff. I always tell my officers to stay positive. There are always challenges in the police department because people come to us only when they are in trouble. The police is one of the departments high in corruption. After taking charge, you suspended 18 staff. What measures are you taking to curb corruption? I can say I am a different kind of officer. I dont operate through victimisation. When I initially took charge, some of my friends and colleagues asked me why I wasnt suspending officers. I told them I dont suspend just to create fear. I suspended officials only after three months, and that too after giving them sufficient instructions and warnings. I called meetings from constables to ACPs and made my priorities and dos and donts very clear. Still, a few people went astray. I feel we should not be vindictive and give them a chance. You played a major role in Covid relief work. How was your experience? During the pandemic, my phone number became viral across Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. People used to call me thinking its a helpline. I used to get scolded: Sir, why didnt you bring my food? Many were from lower-income backgrounds and in desperation, so I knew I had to help directly. I coordinated volunteers, local shops and technology partners to distribute dry ration kits. We handled over 10,000 calls per day. For example, requests from Bihar were sent to the nearest SHO, who collected food packets from shops in our tech backup list and delivered them. Having IT-savvy youngsters as partners helped manage calls and coordinate responses efficiently. It was very satisfying to see relief reach those who needed it the most.
Father of Durgapur gang-rape survivor seeks her transfer to Bhubaneswar, cites threat to life
BHUBANESWAR: The father of a 23-year-old woman, who was allegedly gang-raped in West Bengal's Durgapur, appealed to the Odisha government to shift her to Bhubaneswar for treatment, citing a threat to her life. The survivor, a second-year MBBS student, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Durgapur. Her parents, residents of Jaleswar in Balasore district, rushed to West Bengal after being informed about the incident. I appeal to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to help shift my daughter to Bhubaneswar. I fear that her life may be in danger, the father told PTI over the phone from Durgapur on Sunday. The Dalit woman was allegedly raped by three men while she had gone out of the campus with a male student around 8 pm on Friday, officials said. The student's father said the family felt unsafe in West Bengal and was oo frightened to trust anyone. They (not taking any name) will kill my daughter. Her health condition has improved, but there is danger to her life. I cannot trust them, he said. I am hiding in Durgapur, while my wife, a diabetic, stands at the bedside of our daughter in the hospital, he added. 'Girls shouldnt be out at night: Mamata's shocking remark on Durgapur gangrape; CM says comments taken out of context The father made a plea to the Odisha government after a team of officials from Balasore visited the hospital on Saturday, acting on the direction of Majhi, who had spoken to him over phone the same night. Asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's reported remark that girls should not venture out of campus at night, the father said: This is completely false. I see an attempt to suppress the incident. My daughter had not gone out at midnight -- it was just 8 pm on Friday. He further alleged that the survivor had gone out with a male companion who fled the scene during the attack and did not alert anyone. She was attacked between 8 pm and 9 pm. Her male companion ran away and did not raise an alarm or seek help. The miscreants then dragged her into a jungle area and did unspeakable things to her, he claimed. Additional District Magistrate of Balasore, Hemant Singh, who visited the hospital, said, The West Bengal Police have arrested three people within 36 hours of the incident. We are satisfied and hope that justice will be done to the victim. A four-member team from the Balasore district administration, including District Social Welfare Officer Jyotsna Mohanty, also met the family. The survivor's condition is gradually improving. We have assured the family that the Odisha government stands firmly with them. Necessary coordination is being maintained with the West Bengal Police, Mohanty said. Meanwhile, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi came down heavily on the Banerjee government and blamed the chief minister for the complete breakdown of the law and order in the state.
Odisha State Commission for Women Chairperson Sovana Mohanty criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's remarks advising girls not to go out at night. Mohanty stated Banerjee doesn't feel the survivor's pain and urged her to ensure women's safety. The commission is visiting Durgapur to meet the gangrape survivor and her family.
3 held for Odisha MBBS student's gang rape near medical college in Bengal
Her Lifes in Danger Rape Survivors Father Appeals to Govt to Shift Daughter to Bhubaneswar
Odisha CM assures support; family fears threat to daughters life in West Bengal
Two Minor Boys Missing After Drowning Scare In Odishas Kathajodi River
Two boys, aged around 11 and 12, went missing after allegedly being swept away by strong currents in the Kathajodi River near Cuttack on Sunday afternoon.
Bengal: Court remands 3 accused in Durgapur medical student 'gangrape' case to 10-day police custody
Three men have been remanded to 10-day police custody in Durgapur, West Bengal, for their alleged involvement in the gangrape of a private medical college student. The student, from Odisha, was reportedly attacked outside the college campus on Friday night. Charges include gangrape and criminal conspiracy, with police seeking to identify other potential accomplices.
Fourth elephant dies in IED blast in Jharkhand's Saranda forests
RANCHI: The elephant, which got injured in an IED blast in the Saranda jungles of Chaibasa on October 6, finally succumbed to its injuries early in the morning on Sunday. This is the fourth elephant that died in an IED blast in Saranda within the last three months; three of them died during treatment, while another one was found dead in the jungles. Notably, Maoists are now restricted only to the Saranda jungles in Jharkhand as they have been whipped out from other pockets of the state. According to an estimate, around 60-65 Maoists are supposed to be hiding in the Saranda jungles, where they have planted thousands of IEDs, which has become a challenge for the security forces. The IEDs planted by Maoists in the Saranda jungles are not a challenge only for the security forces, but it has also become a potential threat to the wild animals. According to Saranda Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Aviroop Sinha, despite the best medical treatment being provided by the experts from Vantara in Gujarat, they could not save the life of the female elephant. The elephant succumbed to its injuries early in the morning on Friday, at around 1:30 am to 2:00 am, despite the fact that it was being provided best medical facilities. It had severe wounds on its front right limb, said the DFO. It is yet to be confirmed whether the elephant got injured by an IED blast or not, but prima facie, looking at the pattern of the wounds, it appears that the injury was caused by an IED blast, he added. The DFO further added that, the elephant was first spotted in the Ankua of Saranda Jungles, following which it was rescued and taken to a safer place for treatment. The injured elephant was a female approximately 10 to 12 years old, and was unable to walk due to the severe injury on its front limb, he said. The DFO informed that, the elephant, which allegedly stepped on an IED in the Saranda Forests, had suffered heavy blood loss from the wound on the right forelimb. Four teams of veterinary doctors from Jharkhand and Odisha were attending to the wounded elephant. A team of veterinary surgeons from Vantara in Gujarat, which also reached here on Tuesday night, was keeping a close eye on it, said the DFO. When the monitoring teams reached the spot in the morning, the elephant was found dead, he added. Since November 2022, after the state police launched a joint operation in Kolhan jungles, as many as six security personnel have lost their lives, while 20 others were critically injured, besides claiming the lives of nearly 22 civilians, leaving a dozen others critically injured, in IED blasts triggered by Maoists in the jungles of Chaibasa. Some of the senior Maoist leaders, including Misir Besra and Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da, are said to be hiding in that forest stretch, which is said to be strategically important.
Mamata says female hostel students must follow rules, avoid late-night outings
The medical college student, hailing from Jaleswar in Odisha`s Balasore district, was allegedly raped by some men in Durgapur, police said on Saturday
Don't Allow Girls Outside Colleges In Night: Mamata Banerjee
A second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gangraped in Durgapur. The survivor is from Jaleswar, Odisha
Medical student from Odisha gang-raped in Bengal
Kolkata/Bhubaneswar: A student from Odisha, studying at a private medical college in West Bengals Paschim Bardhaman district, was raped allegedly by some men on Friday, October 10. The incident occurred outside the private medical college campus in Durgapur when the second-year student went out with a friend to fetch some food, a police officer said. 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 .
'Girls shouldn't be allowed out at night': Mamata's shocking remark on Durgapur gangrape
Reacting to the gangrape of a medical student in West Bengal's Durgapur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday made a controversial remark suggesting that girls should not be allowed to go outside college at night. Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport, Mamata called the incident shocking and said no accused would be spared. This is a shocking incident...We have zero tolerance for such crimes. Three accused have been arrested and police are conducting search for others. Nobody will be spared, she said. The student, from Jaleswar in Odisha's Balasore district, was allegedly raped by several men in Durgapur, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred outside the private medical college campus on Friday night, when the second-year student went out with a friend for dinner. In her first reaction, Banerjee criticised the institution for letting the girls go out at night, saying: She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 am?... The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night. They have to protect themselves also. Students staying in hostels, especially those from outside West Bengal, are expected to follow hostel rules. They should avoid venturing out late at night, although they have the fundamental right to go wherever they want, the chief minister added. But the police have certain logistical limitations in monitoring the movement of every individual. Officers would not know who is leaving home at night and cannot stand guard outside every home, she said. Banerjee also held the college partly responsible. Private colleges must ensure security within and around their campuses, she said. Meanwhile, three people were arrested and another detained on Sunday for their alleged involvement in the gangrape, police said. The identities of the three arrested were not disclosed. We arrested three persons in connection with the case this morning. They are being questioned. This is a very sensitive case and we will give out further details later, a police officer told PTI. Sources said the mobile phones of the accused were seized. Police on Sunday cordoned off the crime spot, a jungle adjacent to the Paranaganj Kali Bari cremation ground. Massive search operations were being conducted in villages around the private medical college in Durgapur, with drones deployed to search the nearby jungles, the officer said. CM Majhi condemns gang-rape of Odisha medical student in Durgapur, urges WB govt for swift action
She Is Unable To Walk, On Bedrest: Durgapur Rape Survivor's Father
He urged WB CM to take her daughter back to Odisha
West Bengal: Three accused arrested as Durgapur gang rape probe intensifies
Three persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of an Odisha medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal. Police have detained another suspect and seized mobile phones for evidence. The survivor is under treatment, and investigations
Don't Want Her To Stay In Bengal: Father Of Durgapur Gang Rape Survivor
The father of the MBBS student from Odisha, who was gangraped in West Bengal's Durgapur, has said he will be taking his daughter back to Odisha and that he is concerned about her safety in Bengal.
Bengal Gang Rape Survivor's Friend, Who Fled, Under Scanner: Women's Body
A friend of a 23-year-old Odisha college student, who was allegedly gang-raped by unidentified men near her institute in West Bengal's Durgapur, is also under the scanner and the police must consider interrogating him, the women's body has said.
Three arrested in West Bengal over gang rape of medical college student
The medical college student hailing from Odisha`s Jaleswar was allegedly raped by some men in Durgapur, police said on Saturday; the incident took place outside the campus of the private medical college
Odisha Team Meets Gang-Rape Survivor in Durgapur
DSWO Mohanty said the survivors health condition is gradually improving and that the district administration is providing all possible assistance
