For her feat, she has been receiving appreciation from different parts of the country.
Also Read: 30-year-old Army Major from Odisha gets 'Sena Medal' for bravery
After coming to know about the missile attack, the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata swung into action and rushed to their rescue. There was an Indian among the 21 crew members. The attack caused huge damage to the ship, killing one and leaving other crew members severely injured.
On reaching, the team of INS Kolkata started the rescue operation. The team had only one doctor and she was Ananya. Putting her life in harm’s way, she treated the injured crew members all throughout the night. Of the injured ones, three were in a critical state. Ananya went out of her way to save their lives.
Ananya is a native of Baripada town in Mayurbhanj and her father is Manoj Dalabehera, a litterateur.
Expressing his happiness for what his daughter did, Manoj said, “While speaking to me over the phone, she said her act gave her immense satisfaction. She was alone in the team. There was no senior to seek advice. She had to think on her feet and act swiftly. We feel happy but at the same time we are in fear and apprehension as her work involves risk.”
“She has been very brave since her childhood days and is fond of adventures. This is perhaps why she has opted for Armed Forces Medical College,” he added.
As per reports, the youth’s body was found hanging from a girl’s house in the Damodarpur area in the district three days back. As per the allegation of the family members, the youth was in a love relationship with the girl. They claimed that the family members of the girl killed the youth and hung him to pass it off as suicide.
The family members further alleged that despite lodging a complaint, the police didn’t take any steps to investigate the incident.
As per reports, after the post-mortem, the family members walked to the police station carrying the body on their shoulders demanding an unbiased investigation into the incident.
“I don’t think that the police will give us justice. They are telling us to dismiss the case if nothing comes out in the medical report. We think that the police are under pressure to dismiss the case. We need justice and that is why we carried the body to the police station,” said a relative of the deceased.
Take the case of a road at Kumulabahali village under Palanghati Panchayat of Keonjhar district. The damaged road, connecting Kumulabahali and Erendei, with full of craters and potholes and has turned into a death trap for the local residents.
The murram road was constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) three years ago. However, the road was washed away after a few spells of rain. Though, the public representatives and administrative authorities have assured the local residents of a pucca road in the area umpteen times, nothing has materialized yet.
Irked by the sheer apathy of the administration, some members of a voluntary organisation named ‘Bharasha’ have started repairing the damaged road by working as labourers and spending money from their own pockets.
“The road is in a dangerous condition and many accidents are happening on a daily basis. However, the administration has turned deaf ears to the repeated pleas of the local residents to repair the road. Hence, we were forced to repair the road by spending money from our own pockets,” said Sumanta Barik, a volunteer from Palanghati.
In another picture of neglect, an under-construction bridge over Budhabalanga River near the Udala area is yet to be completed even seven years after the foundation stone was laid.
As per reports, lakhs of people depend on a bridge from the British era to commute from Udala to Baripada and vice versa on a daily basis. In a bid to widen and strengthen the bridge, the foundation stone of the project was laid in 2017 with a deadline of 2019 to complete the construction work. However, the project is yet to be completed even after seven years.
Initially, a budget of Rs 27 crore was estimated for the 11-metre-wide and 292-metre-long bridge with as many as seven pillars. The amount of the estimated budget has now increased to Rs 47 crore. However, the public representatives, authorities of local district administration, and officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) are clueless about the completion of the bridge.
Local residents have expressed their resentment over the long delay in the construction of the bridge.
“The bridge should have been completed in 2019. However, it is yet to be completed and as a result, the residents of the area are facing lots of hardships. Due to the recent diversion near the bridge, many accidents are happening on a regular basis. The administration is completely clueless about when the project will be completed,” said Jayant Kumar Nayak, a resident of Baripada.
However, in response to the allegations by the residents, Baripada PWD Executive Engineer, Rohan Gourav Roy assured that the bridge will be completed soon.
“The reason behind the delay in the construction work of the bridge is the prolonged eviction drive that took nearly one year. The main bridge has been completed. We are constructing the approach roads on a war footing. Hopefully, the bridge will be fully ready within one or two months,” said Roy.
Following the mishap, the oil tanker caught fire charring the driver to death. The charred body of the other driver was found crushed below the container truck.
Fire fighters from Bisoi and Bangiriposhi were pressed into action who doused the flame and recovered the charred bodies of the drivers.
As per reports, both the trucks were moving towards Baripada from Keonjhar through Bangiriposhi ghat, when they both lost balance and fell off the ghat into a 20-feet gorge. While the oil tanker caught fire first, it soon engulfed the container truck too.
It is pertinent to mention here that the 17- km long stretch near Dwarasuni in Bangiriposhi ghat on the NH-49 in Mayurbhanj district connecting Mumbai with Kolkata has the ill-reputation of being a death trap with the narrow stretch of highway being bloodied in mishaps that occur almost every other day.
Notably, the unforgiving stretch on NH-49 has taken as many as 39 lives in the last two years and rendered over 300 commuters critically injured or maimed.
A complaint was later filed at the local police station in this regard.
As per reports, a gang of five robbers came in a car well before the office hours of the branch office of Mannapuram Gold Loan operating in the Station Road area of Baripada town.
They were waiting outside the office for the staff to open it. As soon as the office was opened, the dacoits brandishing pistols stormed into the office and tried to terrorize the staff.
The robbers beat three employees and snatched away their cell phones. However, in the meantime the siren of the office somehow made a noise, leaving the dacoits scared. And, the robbers ran away.
Speaking to the media, the area manager of Manipuran Gold Loan, Roni Kundu, said, "The moment our office shutters were opened, some people stormed inside brandishing pistols. All were masked. A siren was near the security staff. As the siren blew, they ran away. There is no loss of property or lives. We have filed a complaint in this regard.”
Police have started an investigation and checked the CCTV footage to nab the culprits.
As per reports, the 5T chairman attended two programmes. He was addressing a Yuva Odisha programme organised on the premises of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University. Students from almost all the colleges in the district were brought in buses to the meeting venue.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the programme, Tanmay Mohanty, a student said, "We really wanted to ask why college elections are not being held. The college polls have been on hold for the last four years.”
He also added that youth can develop their leadership qualities if they are given chances to fight elections at the college level. “Children of political leaders will be leaders. A minister’s son becomes a minister. When many youths are interested in politics with a public service mindset, we have little chance to grow up as leaders. Through media, we appeal to VK Pandian to pave the way for college elections,” he observed.
However, ruling BJD legislator Rajkishore Das, parried the question, saying that the state government has launched a host of programmes for the development of youth.
As per sources, simultaneous raids are being conducted at the properties linked to Naik. The raids are being conducted by two additional SPs, three DSPs, seven inspectors, a sub-inspector, seven ASIs and other staff on the strength of search warrants issued by Special Judge, Vigilance, Baripada at five places in the district.
As per the Vigilance Department, the raids are currently underway at the following locations:
1. Residential triple storeyed building of spouse of Naik at village-Raghunathpur, PS-Baripada, Dist- Mayurbhanj.
2. Residential double-storeyed building of Naik at Talanda, PS-Badasahi, Dist-Mayurbhanj.
3. House of Naik at native village at Talanda, PS-Badasahi, Dist- Mayurbhanj.
4. House of his relative at village-Manitri, PS- Baisinga, Dist- Mayurbhanj.
5. Office room of Naik at Baripada.
Though the Superintendent of PRM Medical College and Hospital has assured that a probe will be launched to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, the chances of fire breaking out at other hospitals in the future can’t be ruled out. According to experts, the fire security norms at most of the hospitals in the State have been thrown to the winds.
As per reports, panic gripped the patients as well as the staff of PRM Medical College and Hospital after smoke was initially detected in the gynecology department on the third floor. Though the exact reason behind the fire is not clear, all the patients in the ward as well as in the ICU were subsequently evacuated to safety. It took nearly three-long hours to douse the fire completely.
Now questions are raised if the fire broke out due to short circuit, lackadaisical attitude of the maintenance department or lack of coordination between different departments.
The fire services department is attributing the cause of the fire to short circuit. However, as per the relatives of the patients and intellectuals of the area, the fire broke out due to lack of coordination between different departments and lackadaisical attitude of the electric maintenance department. Even the employees of electric maintenance and water supply departments were not in sight during the accident. As nobody turned out to open the fire exit door, the lock of the door had to be broken in a desperate measure.
“Workers of the maintenance department didn’t turn up during the accident. There was lack of coordination between maintenance and coordination departments,” said Rakesh Singh, a local resident.
Meanwhile, as per the Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Pratibha Panda, medical equipment worth crores of rupees has been gutted at the gynecology department. Moreover, an internal inquiry has been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire.
“All the patients have been evacuated. They have been kept at proper place and their conditions are stable. The restoration work will be completed very soon. We will do a preliminary inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident,” said Panda.
Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College in Koraput
The fire safety measures at the gynecology and pediatrics departments in Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College in Koraput are not much different. Though water sprayer pipes and fire extinguishers are in place, no information is available about the refilling dates of the cylinders. The refilling date of one cylinder expired in 2019.
Making matters worse, not a single employee of the hospital has been trained in minimum firefighting skills.
Considering the prevailing situation, the patients, their relatives and several social activists have alleged that the hospital authorities are playing with the lives of patients.
“People of Koraput have been benefitted a lot after the hospital was set up in the district. However, if proper fire safety measures will not be ensured, it will lead to severe accidents. Proper training, coordination and up-to-date knowledge among the employees are required to avert any fire related accident,” said social activist, Pradeep Mohanty.
Responding to the allegations, the hospital Superintendent Prashant Sahu stated that he has ordered to provide him the files related to the fire safety measures of the hospital. After examining the files, he will take all the necessary measures, Sahu assured.
“I recently took charge. I don’t have much knowledge about fire safety measures. After having discussions with the concerned employees and checking the files, appropriate measures will be taken,” said Sahu.
Meanwhile, as per experts, fire safety standard checking, proper monitoring and supervision are essential in the hospitals as part of the fire safety norms. Moreover, the employees should be imparted proper training in this regard and fire extinguishers should be properly maintained and refilled regularly.
“As per our observation, fire related accidents are mostly happening due to electric short circuits. We have asked all the government and private hospitals to apply for fire safety certificates and take all the fire safety measures. Those who have flouted the norms, we have issued notices to them,” said Fire Services DIG Sarthak Sarangi.
Though the exact reason behind the fire is not clear, all the patients in the ward as well as in the ICU were subsequently evacuated to safety.
“When people started running helter-skelter, the first thing that came to my mind was to save our newborn baby. Holding it closely to my chest, I ran out of the hospital,” said a woman.
Recounting the scene, another woman said, “I can’t describe the situation in words. I saved my patient as well as other patients even though I couldn’t get any stretcher.”
“We heard a loud sound. Someone told a child might have fallen. But when we were told about the fire, we lost no time and ran out of the hospital. I had never seen such a situation in my lifetime. It was a stampede-like situation,” narrated another woman.
Dr GK Mohanty, in-charge CDMO said, “A spark was detected When some work was going on at the OT room, Immediately our staff shifted the patients and made active the existing fire fighting systems. The work is on to douse the flames.”
Mohanty said all the patients have been safely evacuated. The smoke was detected when a surgery was being conducted at the OT room. The surgery was conducted from another room, he added.
Acting on a tip-off, Mayurbhanj police launched search operations at multiple locations in 14 police jurisdictions and arrested the poachers.
The police also seized 165 country guns, gunpowder, raw materials, pangolin scales and deer antlers from their possession.
Speaking on the crackdown, wildlife expert Biswajit Mohanty said, “Poaching is rampant in Similipal. The action from the police came after two forest officials were gunned down by the poachers. Such raids should be carried out frequently to safeguard the wild animals.”
“The raids should have been carried 10 years ago. If such raids will not continue in regular interval, Similipal will turn into a heaven for the poachers. In the last 30 years, no arrested poacher has been convicted. So strong legal action should be taken against them,” Mohanty added.
In another incident, a man and his daughter have been arrested for poaching in Boudh district.
According to sources, the forest department officials nabbed the duo during a raid near Padmatola beat under Kusanga range in the district.
Two guns, one axe, poisonous balls and pangolin scales were seized from their possession, sources informed.
Acting on a tip-off about the wildlife smuggling from reliable sources, Baripada Forest Department under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) conducted the raid and recovered the leopard skins.
Further investigation into the incident is underway to ascertain whether the skins were procured from someone else or the supplier had obtained those skins after killing the leopards.
The arrested persons are being questioned about wildlife smuggling. Baripada DFO refused to divulge more information about the incident.
The deities were taken atop the chariots in a grand procession known as ‘Goti Pahandi’ on Tuesday. As per the age-old tradition, the chariots will be pulled today.
The chariot of Lord Balabhadra will be pulled first followed by Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. As per the tradition, women devotees only will pull Subhadra’s chariot.
However, the chariot of the goddess will be pulled for half of the way today.
The chariots of Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra will be dragged up to the Gundicha temple tomorrow.
Thousands of devotees thronged Baripada town on the occasion of Rath Yatra to witness ‘Pahandi’ of the deities who were brought onto the chariots from the temple yesterday.
The incident triggered tension in the locality as hundreds of local ransacked the bus and staged a road block, demanding action against the driver and justice to the family. Due to road block, traffic on the road came to a halt.
According to a source, Binapani Pandey of Brahmanipali village along with his two daughters was going to Puintala block to update their AADHAAR cards on a motorcycle. Binapani was riding the bike and his daughters were sitting pillion. As they were nearing Gaintala tehsil, a private bus named ‘Ganapati’ coming from behind hit them. Under the impact of the collision, Binapani and his two daughters fell on the ground. As one of his daughters came under the wheels of the bus, it dragged her for a half kilometer, leading to her death on the spot.
Local people immediately rushed Binapani and his daughter to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital where they are learnt to be battling for life.
In another incident, a crane driver who was engaged to remove a mangled truck from the road died and an ASI injured in Baripada today morning.
According to a source, a truck moving from Baripada towards Balasore turned turtle and overturned on Baripada-Balasore National Highway No-18 in Baripada on Tuesday morning. On being informed, ASI Pradeep Rout from Baisinga Police station reached the spot to look after the rescue operation. A carne was engaged to remove the truck from the road. As the rescue operation was underway, a car moving at a great speed hit the crane driver and the ASI, leading to the former’s death.
As per the weather update shared by the India Meteorological Department, Bhubaneswar, Baripada was the hottest town in Odisha today with maximum temperature of 43.5 Degrees Celsius. It was followed by Angul, Boudh, and Sonepur that recorded 42.5 Degrees Celsius each.
While Titlagarh witnessed 42.2 Degrees Celsius; Talcher, Bhawanipatna, and Bolangir witnessed 42 Degrees Celsius each.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded maximum temperatures of 40.8 and 41.4 Degrees Celsius, respectively.
As per the prediction by the regional center of the India Meteorological Department, the day temperature at several places in Odisha is likely to increase by three to five Degrees Celsius in the next two days.
Heat wave warning has been issued for five districts tomorrow and for as many as eight districts on April 15.
“The temperature is unbearable after 12 pm. However, we are forced to go outside due to urgent work. We are drinking lemonade and using towel and umbrella to beat the heat,” said a resident of Biramitrapur.
Meanwhile, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Pramila Malik said that all kinds of necessary measures have been taken in view of the severe heat wave conditions.
“All the Collectors are fully alert. In view of the severe heat wave conditions, all kinds of necessary measures have been taken as per the directions of the government,” said Malik.
Local residents had planted and grown those trees on both sides of the road near Similipal Reserve.
As per reports, around 50 miscreants cut down hundreds of valuable trees on both sides of the road using machines reportedly at the behest of a company which has been given contract for the road expansion work. Though villagers raised objections, their grievances allegedly fell on deaf ears.
“The road was a stretch of greenery that provided shade and fresh air to locals. The trees were a part of the memories of many villagers who grew up in the area. However, hundreds of trees are being chopped down to widen the road. Many trees are being felled unnecessarily,” said Rajkishore Nayak, a villager.
“We had planted those trees and taken care of them like our children. Most of those trees were flower and fruit bearing ones. People used to sit under the bower of those trees and refresh themselves during scorching summer. We were loving and caring those trees as our own children. We had done a lot of hard work to grow those trees. Now, we are crestfallen after the trees were cut down by the miscreants,” said Manohar Nayak, another villager.
Though, the incident happened during night in front of Balidiha beat house, the officials allegedly remained mute spectators. Moreover, the trees have reportedly been cut down without permission from the Forest department and the local forest security committee.
Meanwhile, Baripada Forest Ranger Laxmidhar Behera said that stern action will be taken against the miscreants.
“The trees have been felled without the permission from the forest department. We have launched an investigation into the incident. Stern action will be taken against the miscreants,” said Behera.
According to sources, the sound was heard at around 11.10 am today and it lasted for two to three seconds.
The intensity of the sound was so loud that the locals rushed out of their houses fearing for their lives, sources informed.
Though the locals suspect testing of missile or supersonic jets might have triggered the sound, the exact reason is yet to be ascertained.
“I heard a loud sound while sitting at a shop. Initially, I thought it might be the sound of missile testing as the Integrated Test Range is nearby. But when we looked up into the sky we found nothing,” said a Balasore resident.
“A massive sound was heard and it shook everything. We are clueless about what caused the loud sound,” wondered another Balasore resident.
“Though the exact cause of the sound is still not known, it might be a skyquake. The sound might be a result of a collision between meteors. After the Turkey earthquake, it is quite obvious that people get panicked after hearing a loud sound. Even Odisha comes under mild tremor zones,” said Dr Pradip Das, a geologist.
Recently, such loud sounds were heard in Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Jajpur but the exact origin of the sound could not be traced.
(Reported by Rashmi Ranjan Das and Manik Lal Pani, OTV)
Lakshmi Mukhi has been a sweeper at the Baripada Municipality for almost 10 years now. Her plight came to light when images of her sweeping the roads with her child tied to her back went viral on the social media.
However, Lakshmi says it is not a problem for her, instead it is her duty. Meanwhile, Baripada Municipality Chairperson Badal Mohanty said that he has instructed his officials to look after her needs and also assured support to her.
Till the time of filing of the report, unaccounted cash worth Rs 13 Lakh and immovable property worth Rs 56 lakh belonging to the official had been traced. The concerned Assistant Engineer of ITDA has been identified as one Santosh Kumar Das.
Reports stated that vigilance officials launched simultaneous raids at as many as 10 locations in Baripada, Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Mayurbhanj. A ten-member team of the anti-corruption agency conducted raids at Das’s ITDA office chamber and his ancestral home located at Baripada. Raids were also reportedly conducted at his father-in-law’s place at Bhograi in Balasore district.
Meanwhile, simultaneous raids were also conducted at other places linked to the official.
As per reports, on Friday (October 15) the victim who was travelling with her male friend on a bike stopped near the forest due to some reason. Moments later, three men who were in an inebriated condition also stopped their vehicle at the same place.
The assailants then thrashed the victim’s friend before tying him up to a tree deep in the forest. After this, they dragged the girl to a secluded place and two of the accused took turns to rape her. Seeing a PCR van patrolling the area, the girl’s friend raised an alarm, following which the miscreants fled the scene leaving behind their vehicles at the spot.
The police personnel went into the forest and rescued the girl. Based on victim’s allegations, a case was registered while all three accused have been arrested. On Saturday (October 16) the trio was court forwarded following medical examination.
The activists led by the party’s State president stopped vehicles on NH-18 and shouted slogans against the government alleging government apathy towards the airstrip.
Vehicular traffic remained stranded on the highway for several hours following the strike. Barring the small vehicles and ambulances, the JMM activists did not allow any other vehicles to ply on the highway.
Besides the NH, the activists also staged blockade at Palabani, Baisinga and Betanoti and few other places in Balasore.
“Revival of the Amarda air strip will ensure development of economy and tourism of the place. Though the State government has notified for the same, no work has been carried out yet,” said a JMM activist.
The issue has been raised before the government on several occasions but nothing has been done yet, he added.
The Amarda airstrip was built by the Royal Air Force during the World War II. The airstrip has an 11,000 feet runway and bunkers, said sources.
The accused has been identified as Lakshman Hansda.
According to sources, Hansda took money from youths and their parents on the pretext of giving jobs and later vanished.
"He was my senior and after I cleared ITI he told me that he will arrange a job for me as he is the field manager of a plant. He had taken Rs 30,000 from me," said a youth duped by Hansda.
Hansda reportedly siphoned off nearly Rs 8 lakh from the local youths of Khunta after which a complaint of forgery was lodged by the victims. Taking cognizance of the matter, Police had launched a manhunt to nab the accused, informed sources.
"We had a warrant against Hansda under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. We tracked and arrested him from Chandipur last night. He has confessed to the charges levelled against him and even informed about involvement of more persons in this racket," informed Khunta Police Station IIC, Reena Behera.
According to reports, local youths had allegedly made some obscene gestures to the tourists hailing from Digha in West Bengal. This led to an altercation between them, following which the locals allegedly thrashed the visitors.
Later the tourists' vehicle was reportedly intercepted by the locals at Baripada, where the visitors were allegedly attacked again; added sources.
The girl has been admitted to Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital while cops have detained 3 youths in connection with the case and have started interrogation.
"An investigation is currently underway and soon the accused will be arrested," Additional SP of Baripada, Jayaram Senapati, said.
Recently, the incident of a class-VIII girl delivering a baby at a residential school in Kandhamal had sparked outrage across the State. The girl was allegedly raped by a person from her village. Similarly in another case from Kandhamal district, a minor girl was allegedly raped and impregnated by a youth on the pretext of marriage.
The accused, identified as Kanhu Charan Marandi, was lodged at Baripada circle jail since November 25 after he was arrested in connection with a gangrape case. He was admitted to the hospital over some health issues on December 6.
According to sources, Marandi went to the washroom on the pretext of relieving himself but escaped by jumping out of the window.
"He fled after breaking the glass window of the toilet. A case has been registered by Baripada Circle jail officials against the accused," Inspector-in-charge of Baripada police station Ashok Kumar Nayak said.
According to sources, the millionaire pharmacist Sandeep Pati, was working as a contractual worker at Rangmatia hospital for the last eight years and was made permanent two months back.
The sleuths raided a 3-storey building in Tulsi Chaura area of the district owned by Pati and a paternal house. Apart from that, cash worth Rs 60, 000, land documents and bank passbook have also been seized.
As per reports, Vigilance department is currently estimating the total assets of Pati.
In another raid conducted in Jagatsinghpur yesterday, Vigilance sleuths had raided the houses and office of a driver engaged in Kujang Tehsil office on charges of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
"The earthquake of moderate intensity with its epicentre in Hooghly district of West Bengal at latitude 22.9 degree north and longitude 87.7 east was recorded at about 6.33 pm," Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, H R Biswas told PTI.
No report of injury to anyone or damage to property was received, said an official.
People in several areas like Anandpur, Baripada, Balasore were seen coming out of their homes following tremors.
(With PTI inputs)
In the first incident, two persons were killed and more than 20 sustained injuries after a pick-up van they were travelling in turned turtle at Kanheibandha- Dhanagera road under Udala police limits in Mayurbhanj district today. The deceased has been identified as Draupadi Khandel and Sulochana Biswal.
The mishap took place when the driver lost control and the speeding vehicle overturned resulting in death of the two persons at the spot. The injured were rushed to the Baripada hospital where condition of ten persons among them is stated to be critical.
According to sources, the mishap took place when the pick-up van carrying more than 40 passengers from Arabandha village was on its way to Athara Deula.
On receiving information police along with the SDPO reached the spot and initiated a probe into the incident.
In another incident a woman was killed and another person injured critically after a bike they were riding was hit by a truck on OMP overbridge in Cuttack.
The injured has been admitted to the SCB Medical and College in a critical condition.
“All the accessories present inside the office including tables, chairs, ACs, lights, pictures of Biju Patnaik, Naveen Patnaik have been damaged. The person who stays here said that our own party members have vandalised the office over some issues,” an employee at the BJD party office, Shailendra Kumar Patra said.
The employees of the party office filed a complaint at the Baripada Police Station following which two persons have been arrested. One of the arrested persons has been identified as the general secretary of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, Jeet Patnaik.
“The BJD workers alleged that some youths vandalised the party office and a complaint has been registered at the police station. The culprits have been arrested and investigation is on,” Baripada SDPO, Abhimanyu Nayak said.
Sources said, Patnaik has been suspended from the party after the incident. An employee working at the party office informed that the other youths involved in the incident are also associated with the party.
Comments from the BJD could not be obtained on the matter.
Though no student has been injured in the incident, the walls and gates of the school have completely been destroyed by the pachyderms. This apart, rice, vegetables and other beverages kept in the kitchen inside the school premises were also crushed by the jumbos, informed sources.
Meanwhile, the locals are in a state of panic and are demanding urgent steps by forest department to drive back the elephant herd.
Locals informed that the incident occurred at around 10 PM yesterday. “All of a sudden, a herd of elephants entered the school premises and started damaging the school property,” alleged a local.
The locals have further demanded steps by forest department to drive the elephants back into the wild.
After getting information about the incident, officials of the district administration including a team of forest personnel reached the spot to take stock of the situation.
“We have assessed the damage and will take immediate steps to provide compensation. We will ensure that there should not be problem in providing meal to the students. Immediate action will be taken to reconstruct the walls,” said Karanjia BDO (Block Development Officer), Subhasis Boral.
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Batakrushna Padhi stated, “We were constantly monitoring the movement of the jumbos since last seven days. However, the herd strayed into the Karanjia range and entered the school premises late last night. We will take immediate steps to address the issue at the earliest.”
As per reports, less number of beds has compelled the patients to sleep on floor even in this bone chilling cold.
With less number of beds the expectant mothers suffer the worst. After the emergency delivery, both mother and new born are sleeping on the hospital floor due to lack of beds.
"From the very first day when I was admitted to the hospital, I have been sleeping on the floor as there are no beds available," alleged Nirati Rana, an expectant mother.
"Without bed it's very painful to sleep on the ground in this biting cold," said Premalata Pata, a patient's relative.
Patients and their attendants alleged that the hospital authorities are only providing a single bed sheet. Though more than 30 cases of delivery are being reported in the hospital every day, the unavailability of beds raises questions on management of the hospital administration.
Meanwhile, principal of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College, N.N Soren informed that winter warm clothing will be distributed among the patients.
"Besides, I will raise the issue of unavailability of beds before the government and seek its intervention," he added.
As per reports 23 families of Kundasahi village were rendered homeless after the cyclone on October 10. The victims managed to survive with whatever assistance they received on the immediate aftermath of the cyclone.
Later, even after the people submitted their names to the concerned authorities for availing compensation, they have not got any sort of assistance from the government.
"My house was battered by the cyclone and I have no place to live right now. It has been very tough to survive since then," Saraswati Behera, a cyclone affected resident said.
Another resident, Kuni Behera said, "We lost our only mud-thatched house and were assured of compensation, but even after two months, we are struggling with no place to go."
Not only that, farmers who bore the brunt of the cyclone and the subsequent floods are also awaiting the release of compensation amount promised by the government.
“Heavy rains under the impact of cyclone Titli have completely damaged my crops. We had given written complaints to the district administration but are yet to receive any compensation" , said a Titli affected farmer, Bhagabat Pati.
On the other hand, district emergency officer said that funds have already been released to the concerned Tehsildars and the compensation amount will be disbursed to the farmers soon.
"A total of 688 houses were damaged under the impact of Cyclone Titli. We have released the funds to the Tehsildars. The beneficiaries will receive the compensation after they furnish their bank account and other details" said, Baripada Emergency Officer Sujay Kumar Pati.
According to sources, the protestors demanded amendment of reservation system, filling vacancies in the reserved category, announcement of the Odisha Reservation Vacancies registrar for recruitment notification in government sector in the district. Vehicular movement came to a grinding halt in the district while shops remained closed due to bandh.
Meanwhile, police arrested some of the activist of the association in connection with the bandh.
"Yesterday a meeting was held with the association members in presence of the Sub-Collector. They were assured that their demands will be considered by the government by December 28 and all possible help will be provided," said Ashok Kumar Nayak, an official of the Baripada police station.
"Despite the efforts to avoid law and order situation, some of the members created nuisance that affected normal life in the district. Therefore, we have taken some of them into preventive custody," Nayak added.
All the four ATM machines at Axis Bank at Tulasichaura, United Bank of India at Palabani, UBI at Astia and Bank of India at Station Bazar have been looted in a similar fashion using gas cutters, informed a senior police official. A scientific team and sniffer dogs have reached the spot for more investigation.
"Although the exact amount of money looted from all four ATMs is yet to be calculated, it is estimated to be close to Rs 15 lakh," informed Baripada sub-divisional police officer Abhimanyu Nayak.
Earlier on June 13, 2018, a loot bid at the State Bank of India ATM near Ranipatna Chhak in Balasore town was foiled after a patrolling team of police reached the spot just in time. In the same month again on June 16, a youth from West Bengal was nabbed by Police for allegedly trying to steal cash by breaking the SBI’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) on Jaleswar railway station premises.
It is pertinent to mention here that there has been a rise in loot of cash from ATMs at different parts across the state.
The deceased have been identified as three sisters- Parbati Murmu (12) and Rajashree Murmu (10), and their cousin Kabi Murmu (8).
As per sources, the three sisters along with their mother had gone to the nearby pond to take a bath when the mishap occurred.
Though they were later rescued and rushed to the Baripada hospital, doctors declared them brought dead.
Following the mishap, a pall of gloom has descended in the area.
It is suspected that the couple was murdered last night as their throats were found slit. While Purna’s body was found lying on road, his wife’s body was recovered from inside the house.
According to the sources, the couple was staying alone as their daughters were married and were staying outside. Similarly, their son, who also works outside the State, had returned to the village yesterday.
He reportedly had gone to his in- laws house when the incident occurred yesterday.
The couple had no past enmity with anyone so police are investigating the reason behind the murder of the couple.
“We suspect that the murder could be over witchcraft suspicion. We have got some leads and the case will be cracked soon," said inspector-in-charge of Baripada Sadar police station, Swarnalata Minz.
The woman identified as Thakur Mani Singh, a resident of Telibila village under Baripada sadar police limits, was at her relative's place yesterday when the incident took place.
Soon after the incident, a few locals admitted Mani and her daughter to the Baripada hospital where the baby was declared brought dead by the doctors. The woman died in the wee hours today, doctors said.
As per latest reports, though police have reached the spot and initiated an investigation, it has still not been ascertained whether it is a case of murder or suicide.
On the other hand, the husband of the deceased woman, Sunaram Singh, has claimed that his wife was mentally unstable. "She was mentally unstable and set herself and the baby on fire after pouring kerosene," Sunaram said.
Inspector -in-charge of Baripada Sadar police station, Swarnalata Minz said, "We received information from the medical. While the baby was brought dead the hospital, the woman succumbed to her injuries in the wee hours today. Further investigation is on."
Residents of Baripada and nearby areas are all set to witness the return journey of the Trinity as the chariots of Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra will be pulled towards Jagannath temple in Baripada this evening.
As per schedule, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra will be tugged tomorrow. It may be noted that Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra in Baripada are two-day affairs and conducted a day after the chariot pulling at Puri.
The sibling deities along with Lord Sudarshan were escorted to their respective chariots in ceremonial ‘Goti Pahandi’ yesterday night, sources said.
After ‘Chhera Panhara’ and other rituals are conducted, the Nandighosa and Debadalana chariots would be pulled from the Gundicha temple for homecoming.
Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees from Mayurbhanj district and outside have thronged the town to participate in the extravaganza.
Similarly, the 65-feet long chariot of Lord Baldevjew at Kendrapara Town, popularly known as Tulasi Khetra will also be pulled today evening. A huge number of people converged in the town to witness the ritualistic Pahandi of the deities that were conducted yesterday night.
Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure hassle-free Bahuda Yatra in the town.
The two students, Sandeep Hansda of Class VI and Manoj Mahanta of Class IX of Sishu Vidya Mandir, are now undergoing treatment at Baripada Hospital.
Sandeep has received critical injuries on his neck. The condition of both the students is stated to be stable now, sources said.
According to sources the incident took place when the duo had gone to nearby bush to attend nature's call late on Saturday night. The 'unidentified' attacker first attacked Sandeep.
On hearing Sandeep's scream, Manoj jumped to his rescue and gave a tough fight to attacker. Later, both the children somehow managed to escape from the spot and informed school authorities about the incident.
"The two children had gone nearby to attend nature's call at around 4 am without informing anyone. When we saw the kids running towards the school and profusely bleeding, we rushed to the spot to nab the attacker. However, taking advantage of the darkness, the miscreants fled the spot," said Biplab Prusti, a teacher of the school.
Though the exact reason behind the attack is yet unclear, the school authorities have lodged a police complaint in connection with the incident.
Other places which recorded temperature above 40 degrees Celsius were Talcher 42, Angul 41.9, Chandbali 41.7, Titilagarh 41.5, Balasore 41.2, Bolangir 40.8, Cuttack 40.6, Dhenkanal 40.5, Sonepur 40.2, Paradip 40.1 and Jharsuguda 40.1.
“The heat is so unbearable that it is difficult to get out during day time,” said Pabitra, a Bhubaneswar resident.
On the other hand, anxiety is rising among farmers who have sowed seeds expecting monsoon rain.
“We are worried a lot because of the sudden rise in summer heat which has thrown our cultivation plans into doldrums,” said Brindaban, a farmer from Bhawanipatna.
Frequent power cuts and low voltage are also adding to the misery of the people.
“Due to frequent power cuts we are suffering a lot,” said Sushant, a Soro resident.
Meanwhile, severe heat wave alert has been issued in coastal and interior parts of the State in the next 48 hours, said HR Biswas, director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre.
The met department further stated low pressure over the Bay of Bengal towards the end of the month could likely bring some relief.
It is being suspected that the Class IV girl was raped and subsequently murdered, police sources said. A youth, identified as Jami Kanta Mahanta of the same village has been detained in connection with the incident.
According to reports, the girl had accompanied Mahanta to the Raja celebrations Friday afternoon.
"Mahanta called the girl and asked her to accompany him to the Raja Parba. However he returned in the evening alone. When family members of the girl asked her whereabouts, he ignored their questions. After a frantic search, we found the girl's body in the forest today," said a villager.
Parents of the deceased girl alleged that Mahanta raped and later strangulated her to death. Later, police recovered the body of the minor girl and sent it for autopsy.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conveyed his sympathy to the family members of the victim. The CM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased family and also directed for a speedy trial of the case.
The incident occurred at around 12 noon when both the girls had gone to watch television at the house of one of their neighbours in the afternoon.
Accidentally, one of the girls first came in contact with the table fan and later another girl also got electrocuted while trying to save her.
"Though we were not present at the spot, we heared that one of the girls tried to turn on the fan that had some technical fault and got electrocuted," said Biswanathu Soren, father of one of the deceased girls.
Sources said the accused identified as Sania Dehury had an altercation with his wife last night. In a fit of rage, he later took his daughter into a room, locked the door and started beating her. He later slit her throat killing the minor girl on the spot, informed sources.
Some neighbours later called up the police following which, a team of cops rushed to the spot and found the girl lying on the floor with hands and legs tied and throat slit. The cops seized the dead body and have started an investigation into the incident. The exact reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained, informed sources.
"The incident took place at around 11.30 PM yesterday. A case has been registered at Sadar police station and the body has been sent for post mortem. Exact reason behind the incident will be revealed after investigation," SDPO Abhimanyu Nayak said.
Alleging that the teacher, Dasamata Hansda, was killed by some miscreants, the villagers demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and submitted a memorandum to SDPO Amulya Kumar Dhir.
“It was not an accident rather a planned murder. Demanding arrest of the culprits, we have gathered here and submitted a written plea to the SDPO. We hope the deceased teacher will get justice soon,” said Bhanjalal Hembram, a villager.
“Khadabandh villagers have lodged a complaint alleging that the teacher has been murdered. Though the post mortem report says it was an accident only, we will reinvestigate the incident if we get any lead related to the case,” said Inspector-in-Charge of Bahalda police station, Nalita Mudi.
Meanwhile, police personnel were deployed at the protest spot to maintain law and order situation and avoid any untoward incident.
Nadda in a letter to Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday stated that his Ministry has approved two schemes of the Odisha Government for establishment of the two new Medical Colleges with 100 seats each. The new medical colleges - Government Medical College, Balasore and Government Medical College, Bolangir - will come up under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme,' 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing District/Referral Hospitals.'
Besides, the Ministry has also approved the conditional permission issued to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College & Hospital in Baripada for the academic year 2017-18 and also approved the renewal permission for admission of 2nd batch to the 100 MBBS seats at the college for the academic year 2018-19, added Nadda.
He further informed that necessary permission letters will be issued by the Ministry separately.
The deceased have been identified as Sambhu Bhoi (65) and Daimati Bhoi (70).
After getting information about the presence of a herd of elephants in the area, Daimati had gone to the house of Sambhu to sleep yesterday. Daimati, who had a poor vision, was attacked by an elephant after she came out of the house. Later, the pachyderm entered into the house and trampled Sambhu to death while he was sleeping.
Sources said, villagers are having sleepless night as a herd of elephants has been camping in the area for last few days.
On receiving information about the elephant attack, forest officials reached the spot and started investigation.
In a separate incident, the carcass of a baby elephant was found in a paddy field at Baincha village under Betanati Forest Range in Mayurbhanj district today.
The elephant is expected to be around five-years-old while the exact reason behind its death is yet to be ascertained. Locals said around six elephants were spotted near the village last night.
Sources said more than 40 elephants from Jharkhand have entered Odisha via West Bengal border and camping in separate groups in forest areas under Rasgovindpur and Deuli Forest Ranges.