A social worker and agriculturist, Sarat Pattanayak, lives in Koraput town. On Saturday, he received a message from the State Bank of India (SBI) on his mobile phone that Rs 2,53,725 had been credited to his account.
Instead of being happy after receiving such a huge amount, he became worried about how he could send the money back to its original owner. As the bank was closed his anxiety grew further. The next day was Sunday.
On Monday, he was among the first customers who reached the bank branch. He met the branch manager and discussed the matter. During the inspection, it was learned that a Chennai-based private company’s money was wrongly transferred to Pattanayak's account. Later, he returned the entire amount to the concerned company and set an example for others.
Also Read: Beyond call of duty: Ambulance staff carries pregnant woman for 3 km in Koraput, earns praise
Pattanayak’s honesty has now become the talk of the town.
“It was around 2 pm or 2.30 pm when I received a message informing that Rs 2,53,725 had been credited to my account. As I was sure that someone must have wrongly sent the money to my account, I waited till evening to receive any call. In the evening, a girl called me and said she was working as an accountant in a company in Chennai and was a low-pay employee. She said she had sent me Rs 2,53,725 mistakenly and asked me to return the money. She was sobbing all the while,” Pattanayak said.
“Sarat Babu has done something really exemplary. On behalf of the bank, I extend my good wishes to him. He approached us on his own to return the money,” said SBI branch manager, Aniruddha Sethi.
They have been demanding the construction of two underpasses at the place for safe passage for a long time.
As nothing happened to their demand, scores of villagers resorted to ‘rail roko’ for four hours on Monday and squatted on the Koraput-Vishakhapatnam railway line.
The agitating people alleged that though they raised their demand for an underpass, the administration and the railway authorities have turned a deaf ear. They lamented that small mishaps continue to happen while crossing the line.
One of the agitating residents said, “The administration is not taking any step for communication, even though we had earlier met the Collector. The Collector had assured us to take steps for road connectivity, but little has been done.”
A woman protestor fumed, “Where is the road for us to commute safely. The administration is not doing anything to sort out our perennial problem."
Additional Tehsildar Kanhu Patnaik said, "A meeting chaired by the sub-collector was held on March 1. The local residents demanded two underpasses as they faced commuting woes. The administration has assured that a survey will be conducted for the underpasses in seven days and DPRs will be prepared and submitted to the railway authorities.”
Following an assurance from the administration, the agitating people relented.
As per reports, Bati Santa, a resident of Dumuriguda village under Dasmantpur block in the district, got into labour following which her family members called 108 to shift her to the nearest hospital.
Though the ambulance reached near Dumuriguda village after some time, it could not travel beyond Tamil Square due to the non-motorable road. Subsequently, the driver and another staffer walked to the village to bring the woman to the ambulance.
The staff of the ambulance carried Bati on a makeshift stretcher to the ambulance along with other family members. The woman was then shifted to Podagada Community Health Centre.
The ambulance staff earned praise from the family members of the pregnant woman and the villagers for their kind gesture.
The deceased student hailing from Kendrapara was studying in the first year of MA in Mathematics. However, the reason for her death could not be ascertained immediately.
As per reports, the girl student had not opened the door of her hostel room since Friday night. One of her classmates suspected something fishy. As she opened the door, she was shocked to see the body hanging from a ceiling fan.
Sources said, police retrieved the body for post-mortem and started an investigation into the matter. However, the reaction of the police was not received.
"Vikram Dev Autonomous College was accorded the university status. Students are you happy,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on February 3, 2023. However, the institution is still beset with multiple problems.
The document processing for land requirements of the university has been pending at the tehsil office. The state government has not gone beyond identifying land and appointing an officer on special duty (OSD), who is acting as Vice-Chancellor. No regular registrar has been appointed as yet.
Most of the posts for teaching and non-teaching staff have not been filled up. The administrative works are still done in the old building. Works related to college affiliation are reportedly incomplete.
The district administration has identified a patch of 73.23 acres of land at Randapali, but land transfer to the university has not been completed.
Spandita Sajal, a student, said, “I have seen the struggle of faculty and staff and the journey of the college to an autonomous college. But many things have to be done for the university.”
OSD of Vikram Dev University, Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The government has provided 73 acres of land at Randapali for the university. The land documents are stuck at the tehsil office. I hope the land will be acquired shortly. The university campus will be shifted there.”
BJP leader Sudhansu Sekhar Jena accused the government of neglecting the university. "About 70 to 80 colleges are to be affiliated to the university. The work has not been done yet. The statue of Vikram Dev has not been set up. This is very unfortunate.”
Congress leader, Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged, “The government lacks sincerity to do things on a fast track basis. The progress is not happening as desired.”
However, Biju Janata Dal(BJD) leader Rabinaryan Nanda observed, “Under the official process, things take time to happen. The land transfer is under process. Affiliation of about 50 colleges has been completed. Many other private and government colleges are to be affiliated.”
The deceased was identified as Kiran Kumar Choudhry. He was engaged in Kumbhari panchayat office. He was staying alone in the official quarters. While the exact reason behind his death has not been ascertained, local people seek to know if the GRS has committed suicide or has been murdered. A pall of gloom descended on the area following his death.
Meanwhile, police recovered his body and started an investigation into the matter while his family members were present at the block office.
As per reports, when police broke into the room, his body was found in a sleeping position and some liquor bottles were scattered around in the room.
Police came to know that the GRS was a habitual boozer. Given the circumstances in the room, his family members suspect that Kiran might have died of excess alcohol consumption.
According to sources of the bereaved family, Kiran was found under the influence of liquor on the side of a road a few days ago.
However, no reaction from police has been received.
Report by Giridhar Khara
As per reports, two bikes had a head-on collision near Patraput village under Machhakund police limits in Koraput district on Sunday. Two bikers died on the spot while a pillion rider was critically wounded.
The deceased were identified as Dhania Khara and Manic Khemundu of Nandapur block while the injured was identified as Rabindra Khara of Lamtaput.
A similar accident was reported from Shankarpur under Ghagarabeda police limits of Mayurbhanj district. Three people who were going on separate bikes died while two others were critically injured. The injured were admitted to Champua hospital in Keonjhar, sources said.
However, the identities of the deceased and the injured were not ascertained till the filing of the report.
The deceased couple has been identified as Jinu Parija and his wife Rukmani Parija.
As per reports, the couple was living happily with their three sons. However, they had a conflict over a trivial issue which led to a heated exchange between both of them on Wednesday. Following the incident, Rukmani locked herself inside a room. When she didn’t come out of the room for a long time, the family members got afraid. Subsequently, they broke open the door and found to their utter dismay that Rukmani had hung herself to death.
Jinu was crestfallen after the incident. Later, he was discovered hanging from a tree by the villagers on Thursday morning. As per the family members, Jinu killed himself by hanging from a tree shocked over his wife’s suicide.
Upon being informed, Boipariguda Police reached the spot and started an inquiry into the incident.
The whole village is in a state of shock after the tragic incident. Three sons of the deceased couple are staring at a gloomy future following the suicide of their parents.
From scenic beauties to tribal rituals and culture, which the district of Koraput has in abundance, Rout’s brush strokes make them come alive on the walls of the town.
Hailing from Sunabeda, Rout’s artworks are on display in many organisations in the district. She is recently in the news for her murals on the walls of Semiliguda College.
Speaking about her passion, Rout said, “I have never received any formal art training. This is my interest and passion. Though I have started doing murals now, I have been doing oil paintings and sand art from my childhood days. I do it after my working hours.”
“I grew up in Koraput district. So, I know the socio-economic, cultural and heritage value of the area. When the idea of painting the college wall was envisaged, I thought why not paint it with the Koraput culture to display it to the outside world,” she said.
“I can do portraits on everything including oil paint, watercolour, fabri-colour. I paint on whatever I get my hands on even on sarees and bedsheets. I do it because it is my passion. I have never tried to commercialise it,” Rout added.
As per reports, Koraput district has 81 kharif mandis which were slated to open on December 14. Later, the Regulated Market Committee (RMC) which manages the mandis shifted the date to December 20. But it is alleged that only 20 mandis have been opened till now.
In addition to that, the millers are allegedly resorting to ‘katni chatni’ in the mandis. Be it Tankua mandi in Jeypore or Tarabhatta mandi in Borigumma, farmers allege RMC apathy in managing the mandis everywhere.
As per the allegations, the Tankua mandi does not have paddy analysis machine, weigh scale and drinking water facility for farmers. Similarly, the Tarabhatta mandi does not have basic amenities as well.
“There are many irregularities in Tarabhatta mandi. Nobody from the RMC or LAMP has shown up yet. There is nobody to alleviate our pain. While kharif paddy is being sold at Rs 3000/4000 in our neighbouring states, the Odisha government does not care about its farmers, encouraging millers to do monopoly here,” lamented a farmer, Tripati Papla.
“The mandis neither have sufficient place to keep the paddy, nor does it have instrument to weigh it. The farmer cannot keep the harvested crop in the farmland for too long. So they are forced to sell their produce to the millers and middlemen outside the mandi in a very low rate,” said Advisor of Koraput Krishak Kalyan Manch, Manoj Patra.
Asked about the allegations and the closed mandis, Regulated Market Committee (RMC) president, Prabhat Parida said, “We have provided the sampling equipment, drinking water and CCTVs to the mandis. We have been installing and repairing equipment wherever we find them malfunctioning.”
Farmers in Tarabhatta mandi had staged a dharna demanding to lift their kharif paddy from mandis on December 28. They alleged the millers procure only 80-90 percent of their paddy and leave the rest of the paddy incurring loss to the farmers.
Four other persons including a woman, two children, and an adolescent girl have also gone missing in the accident. All the occupants of the boat belonged to Tansingh village.
According to reports, three women along with their children had been to Badela village to attend a wedding function. While returning, the country-made boat capsized in the river near the village.
Following the mishap, the locals informed the police and the nearest fire station at Nandapur about the incident. Subsequently, a search operation was launched.
While the body of a woman was found floating in the river a few hours after the boat tragedy, efforts were underway to trace other missing persons. The Nandapur fire services personnel and a team from Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were pressed into action in the rescue operation.
The rescue teams could not locate the missing persons till Thursday night and were forced to halt the operation due to darkness and cold. They will again try to search for them on Friday.
It is pertinent to mention here that the boat did not have a boatman. Instead, the victims themselves were rowing the boat when the mishap happened, sources said.
The districts are Koraput, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Keonjhar. The SPs of these districts have been advised to tighten security on the border and conduct frequent patrolling in those areas.
The alert came following multiple occurrences of Maoist violence including the blowing up of a railway track at Binuan village between Rourkela and Manoharpur railway station late Thursday night. Following the blast train movement on Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai route was severely affected.
It is pertinent to mention here that various outlawed Maoist insurgent groups have called for a nationwide shutdown strike (Bharat bandh) on December 22 to denounce their recent encounters with security personnel.
Maoists on Wednesday had set on fire multiple vehicles and blocked the National Highway in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma hours after their encounter with security forces in the nearby forest.
A passenger bus, two trailers, and a pickup vehicle were set on fire by Maoists, police officials said. There was no loss of life in this arson.
The Governor's district visits have now triggered sharp political reactions from the major political parties in the state.
As per reports, the Governor not only receives complaints galore from people but also takes stock of the execution of projects at the ground level. During his visits to Angul and Dhenkanal, he inspected school infrastructure, an old age home, hostels, the pollution caused by MCL, falling groundwater level and elephant mayhem, apart from directly interacting with people. Later, he wrote to the CM to redress the issues on December 8.
He also did the same and sought to know the issues of people in Malkangiri and Koraput. At Mathili, the Governor interacted with patients at the local hospital and later provided Rs 1 lakh as assistance to a poor girl Kabita Kahara at Pangam village who is aspiring to be an IAS officer. He expressed his displeasure over the absence of an Anganwadi centre there.
While the government has been boasting of the effective execution of projects, complaints from people to the Governor have put a question mark on the government. A question arises if the benefits of the schemes really reach people.
As for the issue, BJP leader Mohan Majhi targeted the government, accusing it of misleading people in the name of development to create a vote bank. "People will no longer be cheated and they will reply. The Governor has proved the hollowness of the so-called development," he added.
Congress veteran Jayadev Jena said, “After visiting Angul and Dhenkanal, the Governor has talked about the sorry state of affairs. What he has said about the development is reflected everywhere. Let him visit the entire state and see what kind of development has been done.”
However, BJD leader Padmanabh Behera countered it, saying, “People can feel the way development is being done in various sectors. If the government has pointed out something, the government will try to look into it.”
As per sources, an octogenarian has been riding piggyback on his relative every month to receive an old age pension at the panchayat office, 8 km away from his house.
As per reports, 80-year-old Pita Muduli, a resident of Jadaput village of Pindapadar panchayat under Dasmanthpur block is afflicted by paralysis and unable to move outside his house.
He said that he was hit by paralysis five years ago and since then he has been confined to his house. He is being paid Rs 500 as an old age pension.
Earlier, he used to walk to the panchayat office to get the pension money and now it is not possible on his part to walk that far. “In such circumstances, I have no option but to depend on a relative to get my subsidized rice and pension,” he added.
However, such an incident stands in sharp contrast with the government’s announcement to deliver pensions at the doorsteps of old and physically challenged beneficiaries.
Though the octogenarian has long been riding piggyback on his relative to get the pension from the panchayat office, the block social welfare officer concerned is hardly aware of it.
When contacted, block social welfare officer Gourang Kumar Kanhar said, "I have no information about the elderly person riding piggyback on another to the panchayat office. I had talked to the PEO about such an incident, but he denied having come across such a case. I will make arrangements to pay his pension money at his doorstep next month.”
He also stated that in the case of the bed-ridden beneficiaries, the panchayat executive officer should be informed about it. In that case, spouses can receive the pension from the panchayat office or money can be paid at the doorsteps, he added.
Nath, who wore a police uniform, was initially apprehended by a local journalist while the former was allegedly extorting money from the locals in Sourasahi and Telisahi area of the town. The journalist called the police who subsequently arrested Nath.
Earlier, Bhubaneswar Airfield Police had arrested a person on charges of detaining and thrashing a man by posing as a police officer.
The accused was identified as Ranjan Bhuyan from Kendrapara district and was staying at Sundarpada in Bhubaneswar in a rented accommodation.
As per reports, Bhuyan was working for a web series due to which he managed to procure the police uniform.
Immediately reacting to the sloganeering by some members of the audience, the Congress MLA, who was visibly upset, threatened them not to irritate him. “Don’t try to challenge me."If I want then I can make the scheme a failure,” he was seen shouting from the dais shared by OdishaTransport Minister Tukuni Sahu, Transport Secretary Usha Padhi, all MLAs of the district and the Collector.
As per reports, such high drama unfolded at Koraput Government College ground during the launch of the LAccMI bus service. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the service under which 38 LAccMI buses will operate from the block headquarters to the district headquarters in the first phase.
Later, speaking to reporters, the Congress veteran said that the BJD government has launched LAccMI bus service ahead of the 2024 elections. “We don’t oppose it, but such buses should provide proper services,” he observed.
As per the police complaint, the principal of the college molested a girl student of the institution.
The matter came to the fore after the parents of the student lodged a complaint at Jeypore Town Police Station against the principal.
Following the complaint, the police went to the college for investigation but returned empty-handed after finding the college locked.
Sources said the students here were subjected to mental and physical harassment since long. The students started to complain when it went beyond limit.
Neither the police nor the college authorities were available for comments on this matter.
Another such incident has recently cropped up. Continuing the alleged intrusion attempt, Andhra tried to encroach upon a Biju pucca house constructed by Odisha government at Uparasembi village under disputed Kotia panchayat. Andhra officials had opened a post office in that building and tried to include that village in their state.
However, upon being informed, Pottangi Tehsildar, Kotia Revenue Inspector and Kotia police station OIC reached the spot and made an investigation into the incident. Following the investigation, they removed the nameplate of the post office set up by Andhra officials. They also removed the red colour of the house and painted it white.
Earlier some months back, philatelists Anil Dhir and Dr Biswajit Mohanty in presence of former Collector of undivided Koraput Sanjib Hota and other officials of Odisha government had released a postal cover bearing the slogan ‘Kotia Belongs to Odisha’ at Kotia post office. Hundreds of postal envelopes carrying the stamps of Kotia post office were dispatched to various parts of the country.
As Kotia’s pin code-764039 is under Odisha Postal Division, Centre has given its approval that Kotia is under Odisha.
Notably, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of 21 of the 28 revenue villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat.
Though the Supreme Court has passed an order directing that the status quo to be maintained between the parties, Andhra has been continuously entering the border areas and trying to woo the local people.
As per reports, the IIC was detained near Jeypore on Monday night while he was returning home in Cuttack in a private bus. At that time, cash worth Rs 2.70 lakh was seized from his possession. Thereafter, Rs 3 lakh cash was seized from his official residence at Boipariguda while Rs 1.80 lakh was found from his official chamber. Besides, Rs 29.77 lakh was later recovered from his quarters in Cuttack.
Sources said the IIC was unable to provide satisfactory details of the sources of the cash that was recovered from his possession.
Further investigation into the extent of his movable and immovable properties is on. Satpathy was earlier working in Rayagada and then at the district headquarters office in Koraput. In September, he was transferred to the Boipariguda Police Station.
Though Vigilance has not confirmed the sources of the cash, it is suspected that it might have a link with the ganja smuggling which is rampant in the fringe areas of Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
Vigilance SP (Jeypore), Pradyumna Kumar Dwivedy said, “Acting on a reliable tip-off, Vigilance officials detained the IIC travelling in a private bus at around 7.46 pm on Monday near Jeypore. Rs 2.70 lakh cash he was carrying in an airbag was seized. Over Rs 37.27 lakh was recovered during multiple searches. The IIC was unable to explain the sources of the cash recovered from him. A case has been registered in this regard and he was arrested today.”
As per reports, Boipariguda IIC Sushant Kumar Satpathy was on his way to his house in Cuttack in a private bus.
Acting on a tipoff, a team of Vigilance officials was waiting near Tankua near Jeypore. The sleuths seized cash worth Rs 2.7 lakh from the IIC and sought to know the sources of the cash.
However, the police official failed to clarify about the cash. The IIC was detained. An investigation into the matter has been started.
Take the case of Raitu Tangi from Guneipada village in Koraput district. Though he is now 62 years of age, he is yet to receive the social security allowance provided by the government. Despite applying for three to four times, he is yet to be included in the scheme.
As a result, Raitu is going through an ordeal. He is living in a dilapidated thatched house and struggling hard to make ends meet. He alleged, though many people younger to him are getting the allowance, he is yet to be included in the scheme.
Apart from Raitu, similar is the case for Aita Muduli of the same village and Padama Golari from Matamput village. Although both of them have applied at the pachayat office several times, they are yet to be included in the scheme.
“Though I have applied many times and submitted all the documents, I have not been included in the scheme so far. On the other hand, many other people of my age group are getting the allowance. I am a poor man and it’s becoming difficult for me to make ends meet due to old age. We are clueless on what to do to be included in the scheme,” said Aita.
However, no reaction from the district administration could be obtained in this regard.
As per reports, the couple, identified as Dhaneswar Garada and Dasama Garada woke up to hear a baby crying. They went to the place from where the cries were emanating. It was their toilet. They peeped into it and found a newborn baby girl was there, wrapped in a cloth.
They immediately rescued the infant and took her to their house. The couple has been lapping up accolades from all quarters of the society for their gesture of humanity.
Also read: Woman dumps newborn on roadside in Bhubaneswar, baby rescued
“When my wife woke up in the morning, she heard a baby crying. Then we rescued her from the toilet. She is now doing well. But we will take her to the hospital. We suspect someone might have left her in the toilet at night,” said Dhaneswar.
“My sister-in-law (brother’s wife) has rescued the baby. It was shivering in the cold. My sister-in-law took her into the house, fed her, and took all possible care,” said Kanhu Garada.
(Reported by Giridhara Khara)
Meet Kailash Harijan and Sania Harijan from Borigumma area in Koraput district who are determined to organise International Gold Cup Football. Moreover, inspired by Kailash and Sania’s love for football, several of their khalasi friends have also come forward to extend their helping hands to make the tournament a grand success.
“We are passionate about football. Apart from working as khalasi, we play football every day. We have been organising this tournament for the last 12 years. However, we want to make it big this year with the participation of some international teams. It will give us immense pleasure and joy to watch international players plying their trade in the mega event,” said Kailash Harijan.
“We work as khalasi and do other odd jobs to earn our living. However, our passion is football. We have been organising this tournament due to our immense love for the game. Players from different countries will participate in the tournament this year,” said Sania Harijan.
Khalasi friends of Kailash and Sania are organising the Gold Cup Football Tournament for the last 12 years. However, they have thought big this time and this year some foreign teams will participate in the International Gold Cup Football Tournament. Nigeria and Nepal teams along with many state sides will be in the fray this year.
“People of Koraput are passionate about football. Our khalasi friends in the district are playing some great football during their leisure time. Beyond their professional commitments, they are also managing to find time to organise such a huge football tournament. We all have been inspired by their passion for the game. We request the government to provide proper facilities to help the budding footballers in the district,” said Padman Swain, President of Maa Budhi Thakurani Khalasi Association.
As per reports, Abhishek Majhi from REF Colony in Koraput was allegedly murdered on December 13, 2022. Though the family members of the deceased lodged a complaint about the incident at Koraput Town Police Station, police could not make much headway in the case.
Later, the family members of the deceased came to know that a person named Rahul Bagh from Hanaguda area near Koraput Railway Station was telling some people to have killed Majhi. Subsequently, they caught Rahul and handed him over to the police.
Koraput Town Police detained Rahul and questioned him in connection with the incident. However, the accused managed to escape from the police custody.
Following the development, the irate family members of the deceased and local people staged a demonstration and gheraoed the police station alleging lackadaisical attitude and negligence by the police.
Tension ran high at the police station premises. Later, the situation came under control after police officials held discussions with the agitators.
“When police did nothing in the investigation, we caught the murderer of my brother with the help of the public and the accused also confessed to the crime. However, the police intervened and asked us not to take the law into our hands. We then handed over the accused to the police. However, he managed to escape from the police custody within half an hour. Police are not helping us as we are poor people,” said Nikita Majhi, sister of the deceased.
However, no comments from police could be obtained in this regard.
Farmers in the district are in distress following the heavy rain as they are staring at huge losses due to the crop loss.
Several farmers of Potangi, Laxmipur, Nandapur, Lamtaput, Koraput, Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Dasamantapur blocks in the district have undertaken ginger farming on around 6,000 hectares of land.
The farmers were happy and hopeful of bumper harvest this year. However, they are now in distress that the torrential rain induced by the low pressure over Bay of Bengal has severely affected the cultivation.
With only three months left for yielding, the crops have been affected by pathogenic and non-pathogenic diseases of viral, bacterial, fungal, and nematode origin due to the severe downpour causing production constraints.
Moreover, the farmers have also alleged that they face distress sale of ginger due to non-availability of the market.
“Due to water-logging in the farmlands induced by the heavy rain, the roots of the ginger plants are getting rotten and as a result, the plants are weathering and becoming yellowish gradually. We have to incur huge losses because of it,” said Surendra Masti, a farmer.
“I have invested a lot this year in ginger farming. I was hopeful of a good yield and profit. However, the heavy rain has destroyed everything. I am helpless now,” said Bhima Gouda, another farmer.
Meanwhile, agriculture experts have advised the farmers to take necessary measures to save their crops from the torrential rain.
“We advise the farmers to make proper drainage facilities in their farmlands and spray Copper Oxychloride to save the crops from getting rotten,” said Sudam Charan Biswal, Deputy Director of the District Horticulture Department.
Currently, production of 120 megawatt power from as many as six turbines has been halted due to technical issues at TP dam, sources said.
As it is a very old hydroelectric project, the chain of the intake gate in front of the tunnel gate of the TP dam snapped. As a result, water flow from the hydroelectric project stopped.
Due to the technical issue, work at the hydroelectric project has been stopped. Meanwhile, the repair work could not be undertaken at the project site due to torrential rain.
Machkund hydroelectric project is located in the Machkund dam in Koraput district. The first unit of the power project was commissioned in 1959 and the total installed capacity of the project is 120 MWe.
The project is erected in the eastern hydroelectric region of the country and the east flowing rivers are the hydroelectric basin of the project. The unit size of the project is 120 MWe, having three units of 17 MW each and three units of 23 MW each. There are six units in operation.
As per reports, former BDO of Narayanpatna Ramesh Chandra Sahoo was allegedly involved in as many as seven corruption cases related to various developmental projects of the block. He was absconding since 2015 to evade arrest.
However, after receiving intelligence input about Sahoo’s whereabouts, a team of Odisha Vigilance conducted a raid and arrested him from the national capital after eight-long years.
As per sources, Sahoo was produced in a local Court in Delhi and will be brought on transit remand to Odisha. State Vigilance is carrying out further investigation into the corruption incidents.
However, question mark has been raised over the efficiency of Odisha vigilance after it took eight-long years to trace the former BDO who was involved in seven corruption cases.
01. Koraput Vig. P.S. Case No.16 dt.18.04.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. fund to the tune of Rs.6,00,000/- without executing the work i.e. for construction of Anganwadi Centre (AWC) Building at Tovapadar and Mankid.
02. Koraput Vig. P.S. Case No.17dt.25.04.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. fund to the tune of Rs.3,00,000/- without executing the construction of AWC Building at Dumsil.
03.Koraput Vig. P.S. Case No.18dt.25.04.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. fund to the tune of Rs.5,00,000/- without executing the construction of road with CD Works at Pachingi.
04.Koraput Vig. P.S. Case No.19dt.01.05.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. fund to the tune of Rs.5,00,000/- without executing the construction of Diversion Weir and Field Channel at Kelubadi of Narayanpatna Block.
05.Koraput Vig. P.S. Case No.20dt.01.05.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. fund to the tune of Rs.5,00,000/- without executing the construction of Spring based water supply & Field Channel at Uppergumundi under Narayanpatna Block, Dist: Koraput.
06.Koraput Vig. P.S. Case No.21dt.02.05.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. fund to the tune of Rs.5,00,000/- without executing the construction of AWC at Gehchla and CC road work at Daleipeta under Narayanpatna Block, Dist: Koraput.
07.Koraput Vig. PS Case No.38dt. 03.08.2015
Misappropriation of Govt. Money of Rs.5,00,000/- of NREGS account of G.P fund and showed the same in the GP Cash book as transferred to PFC account.
Dasmantpur BDO, assistant engineer, officials of water and sanitation department, education department, livestock department and supply officials inspected the village and held a meeting with the villagers.
“After the little girl’s viral speech, the block administration reached the village to know the ground reality. The main problem of the village is connection and communication. There are no proper road connectivity and other network facilities in the village,” said the Dasmantpur BDO Dambarudhar Mallick.
The BDO has assured to apprise the district Collector of all the problems of the village for taking necessary steps in this regard.
The visit of the officials has brought a sigh of relief for the villagers who were left unheard for years together. They have now warned of boycotting the upcoming 2024 elections if their grievances are not resolved.
“The BDO visited the village along with the engineers and other block officials. We are hopeful that developmental works will commence in the village after the visit of the officials. We will be forced to boycott the upcoming elections if no steps are taken in this regard,” said a local Tarun Saunta.
Worth mentioning, Sonali Das, a student of Koraput Saraswati Sishu Mandir, had narrated the problems about her village in front of invited guests during her I-Day celebration.
During her cute speech, she narrated, “There is no road connectivity to our village. We are facing problems. We don’t have a drinking water facility. There is no well or tube well in our village. We are collecting water from a pit. Whenever anyone falls ill, we carry him on a cot to medical. As there is no telecom tower, we can’t use mobile phones. The government officials are telling about the development of the village. But no development has taken place in our village.”
Continuing the alleged intrusion attempt, Andhra has erected a signboard at Dhuluipadar village under Kotia Panchayat in Koraput district. In the signboard, it has been written in Telugu language that land, water and forest in addition to the MGNREGA scheme of the Centre is all yours. The safety and security of these resources is in your hands.
As per reports, Andhra officials set up the signboard on Saturday evening. The sign board is carrying information about the Central scheme and the message of Andhra Chief Minister.
As per local public representatives, it’s a new trick adopted by Andhra to encroach the area.
“It’s a new conspiracy by Andhra. We strongly condemn the move. Kotia belongs to Odisha and the signboard should have been written in Odia,” said Pottangi Zilla Parishad member Tikai Gemel.
Notably, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of 21 of the 28 revenue villages in Kotia Gram Panchayat.
Though the Supreme Court has passed an order directing that the status quo to be maintained between the parties, Andhra has been continuously entering the border areas and trying to woo the local people.
In a latest controversy, Andhra has encroached upon the area near the main reservoir of Machkund Hydroelectric Project at Jalaput in Koraput district.
As per reports, to bolster their encroachment and presence in the area, Andhra officials removed the signboards put up by Koraput Collector and the authorities of Machkund Hydroelectric Project in the area and threw them away.
Moreover, officials of the neighbouring state also removed the welcome signboard put up near the dam to strengthen the relationship between people of both the States.
Notably, Jalaput dam is jointly monitored by both Odisha and Anddhra Pradesh for the last many years. However, Andhra is trying to own up the dam for the last few years.
“Machkund is a joint project by both Odisha and Andhra. Odisha government had put up a signboard near the area for the security of the dam. Another welcome board was put up by the State government for maintaining good relationship between both States. However, Andhra officials removed both the boards and threw those away. They are trying to ruin the relationship between both the states and encroach upon our area which is not acceptable,” said Bilaput Sarpanch Rajkishore Lendru.
Sweet Corn is widely cultivated in Koraput district. Sweet corn grown in the district is known for its yummy taste. However, with limited market facilities and processing units unavailable in Koraput district, growers of sweet corn in the region are badly affected by the distress sale of their products.
Sweet corn is grown on around 5,000 hectares of land in Nandapur, Laxmipur, Potangi, Semiliguda and Koraput block in the district. There is bumper production and huge demand of the product. But, after the harvest, the farmers have to undertake double hard work for its marketing as well.
In the absence of any marketing facilities for the product in the district, they have to transport and sell these products in different markets. The Agriculture Department is allegedly not providing any kind of encouragement to the farmers. As a result, the farmers are forced to sell their products to the traders of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh at cheaper rates.
“As we don’t have any marketing facilities, traders from the neighbouring states and wholesalers in the market are bargaining with us. Without having any marketing alternative, we are forced to sell our products at cheaper rates,” said Purusottam Gouda, a farmer.
“With the cost of production increasing every year, the distress sale of the sweet corn has hit us hard,” said another farmer.
Several farmers have demanded Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Mandi like facilities for sweet corn in the State.
“The climate in Koraput is conducive for sweet corn cultivation. Proper marketing facilities should be provided to the farmers so that they get a good income. As a result, the cultivation of the product will grow more and more in the district. The State government should buy the products from the farmers and make arrangements to sell those products in the market,” said Sarat Pattnaik, President of Koraput Farmers’ Union.
Meanwhile, as per the District Agriculture Department, sweet corn cultivation could be included under Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme.
“The Department will help farmers in dealing with various insects affecting the cultivation and provide other technical supports,” said Baikuntanath Behera, Koraput District Agriculture Officer.
A glaring example of persistent infrastructure woes is Dasamantapur block in Koraput district. Without a bridge over Baliguda River, the residents of six villages under the block risk their lives while crossing the river for their daily needs.
The onset of monsoon and the rise in the water level of the river have added to the woes of the local residents.
May it be school students or elderly persons, all of them are forced to take a perilous journey to their destinations, sources said.
Students risk their lives and wade through the river to reach their schools, while elderly persons walk through knee-deep water to collect PDS rice.
Unfortunately, the residents of Charada village under Laxmipur block in the district are also forced to carry the dead bodies through this river to reach the crematorium to perform their last rites.
Even after running from pillar to post, all their cry for the construction of the bridge has fallen on deaf ears, the locals alleged.
Hearing a petition filed by the Wildlife Society of Odisha, the NGT's Kolkata Eastern Zone Bench has also issued notices to the Odisha Biodiversity Board, Koraput Collector, Koraput Forest Division and Semiliguda Forest Ranger.
The peak of Deomali has been selected for a bio diversity heritage place. Deomali is known for its edemic species of flora and fauna with many rare species of plants and animals including 84 precious medicinal plants. However, as per the complaint, the permanent construction work will ruin the biodiversity of the place.
It is alleged that the Forest Department is constructing cottages on Deomali hilltop under Pottangi Block with all-weather cement fiber boards. Cottages for night stay of tourists have been constructed with provisions of a dining hall and two dormitories. The Department has also planted about 1,000 tropical pine saplings brought from Assam for beautification of the landscape of the spot. Due to bauxite deposits on the hilltop, the soil dug up by machines was used to make pits for planting of saplings and other soil was also used to ensure growth of the plants.
It is further alleged that Deomali Project is included under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of infrastructure to boost the inflow of tourists. The Project is in addition to Rs 16 crore sanctioned by the Tourism Department for integrated development of the hill. Moreover, Semiliguda Forest Range has prepared a proposal for the Development of Eco-Tourism Complex, at an estimated cost of about Rs 4.5 crore and the same is being executed by the Semiliguda Forest Range Office.
The tribunal has sought replies from the respondents within four weeks. The next hearing of the case will be held on August 23.
As per reports, thousands of villagers have been stranded in four villages for the last two days as there is no alternative route to move to the mainland. In case of any emergency, people are now forced to cross the overflowing river dangerously by putting their lives at risk. Children are not able to go to schools as the river is also in spate. Moreover, women are forced to be confined inside their houses.
Resentment is brewing among the people as the district administration has not made any alternative arrangements for them.
Though the villagers have requested the administration to construct a permanent bridge over Poda river several times, it has fallen on deaf ears so far.
As per the block administration, the construction of a bridge with an estimate of Rs 30 lakh was granted. However, the project has been deferred as a bigger bridge is required at that spot and soon it will be granted.
With alluring offers and government schemes, the Andhra Pradesh government reportedly managed to win the support of the tribals who have been living a life of neglect and deprivation. With all the benefits coming from the neighbouring government, the tribals are slowly being attracted toward Andhra.
“Odisha government hasn’t given us anything. Andhra saw our plights and extended support. They are giving Rs 10,000 each to girl student for studies. But, Odisha government has not given a single penny. The state government is only making false promises, but it seems like we don’t even exist for them,” Laxmi Khara, a resident of Raipad village.
Taking advantage of the situation, Andhra government has extended all government schemes to the inaccessible villagers who are far from getting any aid from the Koraput administration. Starting from Aadhaar card, ration card, voters’ card, and pensions to Awas Yojana, Andhra government is doing it all to attract the tribals.
“There are 13 families in our village. Last year, District Collector had visited our village and promised us houses under PMAY. However, a year has passed by, but we haven’t received any help under the housing scheme. Now, six people have received Rs 1, 80, 000 each for the construction of houses from the Andhra government,” said another local Purna.
Apart from this, the Andhra government is also providing water and electricity facilities to the villages. If this continues, the tribals will easily be drawn towards Andhra, reports said. Many intellectuals called out the Odisha government to act before it becomes too late.
When contacted, Nandapur BDO Sujit Kumar Mishra said, “The proposal for providing houses to the tribal is on. But, there is a delay for some reason. But, they will be given houses very soon.”
As per reports, the accident occurred along National Highway No 26 when the car in which a family was travelling collided with a tanker in the wee hours. The husband, wife and their little daughter died in the accident.
The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained.
The family was on their way from Baipariguda to Visakhapatnam in the car. In the meantime, a tanker was coming from the opposite direction towards Visakhapatnam from Damanjodi. Both the vehicles collided head-on at Pungar. All the family members died on the spot.
Local people rushed to the spot immediately and tried to pull out the victims. However, they were not successful as the car was badly damaged in the accident.
Upon being informed, Pottangi police reached the spot and tried to retrieve the bodies from the damaged car. The bodies will be sent to the nearby hospital for post-mortem.
Villagers have detained the tanker and its driver. Communication along the National Highway was affected following the accident.
Durga Sankar Sahu has replaced Meenakshi as the new president of Koraput district. Among others, Suresh Kumar Ajad, Mohan Parida, Jairam Pattanaik, Ashok Das, Sangram Mishra, Asif Ali Khan, Danardan Dehury, Bijoy Kumar Gomango, and Sem Hembram have been appointed as the presidents of Nuapada, Keonjhar, Puri, Bhadrak, Angul, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Rayagada and Deogarh respectively.
Moreover, Jagneswar Babu has been appointed as the chairman of the AICC Programme Implementation Committee for the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee. Sanjay Tripathy will head the Publicity and Publication Committee. Senior leader Panchanan Kanungo has been appointed as Manifesto Committee chairman of the Odisha unit.
Similarly, Kantabanji MLA Santosh Singh Salluja has been appointed chairman of the Disciplinary Action Committee. Janaki Ballav Pattanaik is the convenor of the disciplinary committee. Bhujabala Majhi, Rajendra Chhatria, Debendra and Pratima Mallik have been appointed as members of the Disciplinary Action Committee.
Meanwhile, politics has intensified over the removal of Meenakshi as the president of Koraput district. Meenakshi was at the helm of the affairs in Koraput for a long time. She expressed her resentment against the move openly and said that Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka is responsible for it.
“I will leave the post after getting the message. I think Koraput MP is responsible for my removal. He is in Delhi and he doesn’t have any idea about Koraput. He is in the upper level and he doesn’t have any idea about the condition of Congress workers in Koraput district. Had he been aware of the ground reality, he wouldn’t have made a rift within the Congress party,” said Meenakshi.
However, no comments have been received from Ulaka in this regard.
Reports of rift in the Koraput unit of the Congress have been doing rounds for quite some time. The alleged rift between 4-time Jeypore MLA Tara and debutant Koraput MP Ulaka came to the fore again some days back when the former expressed his displeasure over his wife being inducted as a PCC secretary, as it suggested her removal from the post of district Congress president, and hinted at Ulaka’s role in it.
As per reports, the construction of the building for the Model Degree College started on February 3, 2019. Almost all the works were completed in 2021 and in a few days time, it was to be handed over to the Higher Education Department for the commencement of the academic year. However, it could not materialise as it was decided that the College will make way for the construction of a six-lane highway by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Bharatmala project.
Soon, the college building was converted into an office of the contract company. More than Rs 12 crore from both the Central and State Governments will be going down the drain as the college building will be demolished after the completion of the road in three to four months of time.
“The government has no intention to start the Model Degree College in our district and poor students are suffering for it. After matriculation, they cannot pursue higher education,” said a local resident.
“With proper planning and coordination, the academic session in the college could have started. But we missed the chance and ultimately students in the district are the losers,” said Sunil Biswal, an educationist.
As per sources, the Center has already provided Rs 12 crore to the Odisha government. Now the onus is on the State government to find a suitable place in the district to start the project for the Model Degree College all over again. However, the State government has made no headway in this regard even after two years.
Though speculation is rife that a place has been identified between Semiliguda and Nandapur, government officials are tight-lipped over the development. Koraput Collector refused to give any comment in this regard.
Meanwhile, politics has been intensifying over the alleged apathy of the State government. Congress and BJP slammed the State government for its lackadaisical attitude.
“The State government is being lackadaisical regarding the Model Degree College as it is a Central project. I will ask the Collector to identify a place for the college soon. We have already lost three years. Work in this direction should start on war footing,” said Koraput MP, Saptagiri Ulaka.
“Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has already sanctioned Rs 12 crore for the project. However, it is quite unfortunate that Odisha government has not identified the land for the project till now,” said BJP leader Sumanta Pradhan.
However, countering the allegations, the ruling BJD said that the project will start soon.
“Discussions about the project and land acquisition are already done. The project work will start soon,” said BJD leader, Iswar Chandra Panigrahi.
In a bid to provide quality education free of cost to the tribal and poor students, the Union government had decided to set up the Model Degree Colleges in six districts of Odisha namely Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Bolangir, and Dhenkanal.
As per reports, protesters can be seen picketing at strategic locations. All private offices, markets, shops and business establishments have downed their shutters. Similarly, vehicular movement has come to a grinding halt with hundreds of vehicles being left stranded on the road. However, emergency services have been kept out of the bandh purview. Students have been allowed to go to their examination centres.
The people of the district have long been demanding for establishing a Central School and a Driving Training School in Koraput. The same has also been taken up with the State and the Central governments but to no avail.
In protest against the step-motherly attitude of both the State and Central governments, the Congress gave the bandh call.
“Our patience is wearing thin. Despite the fulfillment of all the criteria fixed by the Central government for setting up a Central School, we are yet to get a school. A piece of land measuring eight acres has been allotted to them. A temporary school building has also been constructed. We can’t understand why we have been deprived of a Central School,” said Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
“People from other districts are getting employment in Koraput district by furnishing duplicate certificates. These allegations are also not being properly investigated,” he added.
The health club, comprising mostly elderly people, has been spreading awareness about laughter and its multiple healing benefits as well as promoting wellness and overall well-being.
“We are often tangled in various problems in our family and professional lives. So, we forget to laugh enough and spread a smile. After joining Chandan Pokhori Health Club and doing all the laughing exercises, indeed boosts my mood and relaxes my body and mind. Laughing comes with a lot of physical, mental, and psychological benefits. It gives us a reason to be happy,” said a female member of the club.
“Laughing makes us feel good and energetic. It is very valuable and improves our everyday wellness. It helps us stay active and do all the household chores with enthusiasm and enjoy life to the fullest,” she added.
“Yes, we tend to forget to laugh because of the daily monotonous life, but since joining this health club, I’m doing well both personally and professionally,” she further stated.
Every day the members of the health club assemble in a park and do various kinds of laughing exercises and a variety of entertainment programs to lift the mood of the members.
A senior citizen Jagannath Das said, “There are 10-12 kinds of laughing exercises we do. We do welcome laugh, then open laugh or bathing laugh, silent laugh, attack laugh, lion laugh, tiger laugh, kansa laugh and relax laugh. This helps to stimulate and helps in proper blood flow throughout the body and helps cure diseases like BP, diabetes, sugar, and stomach-related problems. There will be no negative thinking in the mind and you will always stay positive in life.”
The victim, Swati Singh, has brought the matter to the notice of Jeypore Collector and SP seeking immediate action so that she gets back her valuables. As per reports, Swati’s gold ornaments worth Rs 14 lakh and Rs 3 lakh cash were stolen from her house by a robber on April 16, 2023.
From the CCTV footage, the thief was reported seen running from the spot after being chased by a dog.
Even though a week has passed since the incident, no headway has been made in the case by police which has compounded the problems for Swati ahead of her marriage.
“I had apprised the Collector and SP during the grievance cell. My marriage is scheduled to be held on May 5. But I have not received any positive response from the authorities,” the complainant alleged.
The complainant further alleged that the health of her mother is not keeping well following the theft.
Koraput SP, Abhinav Sonkar said, “Our investigation is underway and we hope to crack the case soon.”
Koraput Collector, Abdul Akhatar said, “We have received a complaint regard theft. SP and SDPO are monitoring the case.”
At least 60 students of the residential school are now forced to study in the dark and are reeling under heatwave conditions following the power cut, reports said. The power cut amid the excess heatwave has become a matter of serious concern for the students and their guardians.
Hours-long power cut leaves the students in distress every day amid the hot weather.
According to reports, the AP government reportedly snapped the electricity after learning that the school is run by the Odisha government. To make matter worse, the solar system installed by the Odisha government in the school has been lying defunct.
“It has become unbearable due to the electricity cut amid the scorching heat. We are not able to get water to even bath and drink. We cannot sleep at night due to the heat. Fans are also not working properly,” a student alleged.
When contacted, the school headmaster Mahendra Bhatra said, “Solars have been installed, but they are not working due to the defunct battery. Every day, they cut the electricity because of which students have to go through unbearable heat. There are two borewells, but students are not able to draw water. Students are not able to sleep properly due to the power cut at night.”
On the other hand, the District Education Officer (DEO) refused to comment anything in this regard and said that the batteries of the solar system would be soon replaced on the direction of the District Collector.
Worth mentioning, Andhra and Odisha have been locked in a bitter battle over territorial control of several villages in Kotia gram panchayat.
The deceased has been identified as Kuna Pujari.
As per reports, Kuna reached Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at Damanjodi with his father in the morning to appear in the examination for Science paper. After entering the examination hall, he was provided with the question paper and answer sheet by the invigilators in the centre.
However, while writing, the student fainted. Following the first aid, he was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, doctors declared him brought dead.
A pal of gloom descended over the area following the death of the student. His parents and family members reached the hospital immediately and were crestfallen over the loss.
Upon being informed, Damanjodi police reached the spot and started an investigation into the incident. An unnatural death case has been registered at the police station in this connection.
As per family sources, Kuna had been suffering from some ailments and as per the symptoms of the disease, he has also lost his sense on two-three occasions in the past. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
The forest ranger of Lamtaput in southern Koraput district, Surjit Sahu was caught by the vigilance with accounted cash hours after he was elevated to the post of assistant conservator of forests (ACF) on Monday.
According to sources, Sahoo was intercepted by the anti-corruption agency while he was on his way to Bhubaneswar from Koraput in his office vehicle bearing registration number OD-05-AM 1928.
The Vigilance sleuths recovered Rs 1.05 lakh in cash from Sahu's possession which was suspected to be ill-gotten. When Sahu could not account for the cash satisfactorily, the money was seized, sources informed.
Following the recovery of the cash, the Vigilance sleuths carried out simultaneous raids on the office and residential quarters of Sahu at Lamtaput.
Besides, raid was also conducted at Sahu’s residence in Bhubaneswar on suspicion of possession of disproportionate assets. Further investigation into the matter is on.
(Reported by Surya Panda, OTV)
The irrigation projects in several areas in both districts have been lying defunct for several years leading to acute water crisis. Forget about agriculture, people of these parts are facing acute drinking water crisis. With the summer approaching, they are currently at their wit's end.
Take the case of Panchadapada village under Dasamantapur block in Koraput district. Though, the State government has come up with an irrigation project in the village by spending crores of rupees, it has been lying defunct for years owing to several reasons. As a result, the project has been of no use for agricultural purposes. Moreover, the tribal villagers are facing severe drinking water crisis. They are forced to collect water by walking miles and digging small puddles.
“We don’t have any facility of drinking water in our village. We are forced to walk miles to collect water. However, the road is pretty rough and we are wasting hours every day. We are not getting time even to go to work. It has now become difficult for us to earn our living,” said Daina Saunta a villager.
The villagers have urged the local administration to provide drinking water facilities at the village.
Responding to the villagers’ plea, the district administration has assured to solve the crisis soon.
“We will discuss about the issue in our next meeting and try to solve the crisis as soon as possible,” said Zilla Parishad president Sasmita Meleka.
Similarly, several farmers at Sampini village under Gunupur block in Rayagada district are fuming over the defunct irrigation project.
The Water Resource Department of Odisha government set up an irrigation project in the village under Biju Krushak Vikas Yojana (BKVY) in 2013. As many as 62 deep tube wells were dug in the village under the scheme. However, only three to four tube wells are currently functioning and the rest are defunct which has led to the water crisis in the region.
Though the villagers have apprised their problems several times to the block administration, it seems that it has fallen on deaf ears.
“The irrigation project has been lying defunct and of no use. The government should take steps to repair the tube wells so that the farmers in the area will be benefitted,” said Majhi Sabara, a farmer.
The Sarpanch has been identified as Lakhmi Miniyaka from Gotiputa Gram Panchayat under Bandhugaon block in the district.
As per reports, Lakhmi came to know that an eighty-year-old lady Nunai Miniyaka from her Gram Panchayat is suffering from serious illness. Without wasting time, Lakhmi rushed to Nunai’s home.
With the help of another woman, she showed immense courage and presence of mind to carry the octogenarian lady in their arms. They crossed a river on the way and admitted the patient to the nearby hospital. The old lady was given treatment immediately.
Lakhmi has earned hearty approbation and praise from people for her kind act. Locals are also effusive in their praise to Lakshmi with the opinion that a representative of the people should emulate their Sarpanch’s act.
It is said love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries; and, without them, humanity cannot survive. Lakhmi has proved it, said a local.
No casualties were reported after six wagons of a coal-laden train originating from Kirandul and heading toward Vishakhapatnam were derailed. Following the incident, two trains running between Jagdalpur and Vishakhapatnam have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, accident relief trains reached the spot and launched a restoration work.
To find out the cause of the accident, an expert team is learnt to have set out for the spot.
(This is a developing story. Refresh the page for more updates)