Latest Odisha Breaking News Updates - Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Jyotiprakash Biswal, who attempted to save a girl from self-immolation at FM College, is in ICU with severe burns. The Odisha government has promised support. Jyotiprakash had sustained serious burns on his hands, face, and lungs while trying to extinguish the flames. His father, Sanatan Biswal, shared that his son's entire face and both arms were scorched. More

The Odisha Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the tragic death of a girl student from FM College, Balasore, with DSP Iman Kalyan Nayak leading the probe and Inspector Panchali Rout assisting. The case has attracted state-wide attention, and with the Crime Branch now involved, the focus will be on uncovering the exact cause and circumstances behind the girl student’s untimely demise. More

The Odisha cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved the 'Samrudha Sahar' scheme with a Rs 4,879.30 crore outlay to promote planned urbanisation and balanced regional development, aiming for Odisha's development by 2036. More

The Odisha Cabinet approved 13 proposals across 11 departments, including a new police district in Rairangpur, ERSS implementation, reduced hostel fees under Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, and the Samruddha Sahar Yojana for urban development. More

Odisha Police probe cyber harassment linked to a female student's death at Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, after her brother files an FIR alleging derogatory social media remarks and political exploitation. More

A government schoolteacher, Raisen Chaparai, was arrested in Mayurbhanj for leading a tiger skin smuggling racket. Seven individuals were apprehended with three leopard skins seized. Out of the seven arrested, Chaparai is believed to be the kingpin. Preliminary investigations revealed that the racket has links to Chhattisgarh, pointing to a wider inter-state network. More

Congress, led by Alka Lamba, to gherao Parliament on July 21 over women's safety in Odisha, criticising State and Central governments for alleged inaction. Lamba accused the Odisha government of a total administrative failure, especially regarding rising crimes against women. She severely criticised both the State and Central governments for their inaction and silence. More

Petrol pumps across Odisha will remain closed for 12 hours tomorrow due to safety concerns amid a Bandh called by Congress and seven other Opposition parties over a student's death in Balasore, causing an estimated Rs 100 crore loss. More

A 12-hour Odisha bandh called by Congress and seven parties over a Balasore student's death will see closures but exempt healthcare services. More

Odisha braces for a statewide bandh following the tragic self-immolation of a 20-year-old student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, after her harassment complaints were allegedly ignored. Opposition demands justice and a judicial inquiry. More

A woman, Soubhagya Ranjani Pradhan, was critically injured after two bike-borne attackers attempted to snatch her gold chain at gunpoint in Cuttack's Chhatra Bazaar. One attacker was caught by locals, while the other fled. They severely beat him before handing him over to the local police. More

A girl student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College died by suicide after alleged harassment by professor Sameer Sahoo, who has ties with a senior BJD leader, sparking outrage and calls for accountability. More

Mamata Behera from Cuttack threatens self-immolation over alleged police inaction in her husband Kanhai Rout's murder case, accusing cops of seeking monetary settlement. Mamata’s spouse, was allegedly murdered last week by some unidentified persons. Despite her repeated appeals to law enforcement, she insists that no significant progress has been made in arresting the suspects. More

Fresh tensions arise at the Odisha-Andhra border in Gajapati as Andhra officials conduct unauthorised surveys and offer welfare schemes to tribal villagers, prompting Odisha's investigation and response. Villagers from Gangabada panchayat have alleged that Andhra Pradesh is exploiting the simplicity and poverty of tribal residents, attempting to assimilate them into their mainland through misinformation and coercion. More

Odisha's new metro project in Bhubaneswar advances with a fresh blueprint, following discussions led by Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, focusing on public transport and traffic decongestion. More

Large quantities of government-issued medicines, including Azithromycin and iron supplements, were found improperly discarded at Udala Sub-Divisional Hospital in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, raising serious questions about healthcare oversight. More

A 55-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, Himanshu Sahu, allegedly murdered his elderly parents, Hadibandhu and Shanti Sahu, with a hammer in Dhonapal village, Mayurbhanj. The incident, stemming from a family dispute, has shocked the community. More

On World Snake Day, Odisha's Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha shared an image of a rare two-headed wolf snake from Keonjhar forest, highlighting the state's rich biodiversity. Discovered by biologist Rakesh Mohalik, this non-venomous snake showcases nature's marvels and the importance of conservation. More

The BJD's eight-hour bandh in Balasore over a student's death saw public defiance, with shops remaining open and traders opposing the shutdown for disrupting livelihoods. More

Balasore, once North Odisha's industrial hub, now faces economic stagnation with 70% of its manufacturing units closed, leading to massive job losses and worker migration. More

Incessant rainfall has flooded the Brahmani River, submerging the Pattamundai-Rajnagar main road in Kendrapara, Odisha, disrupting life and isolating several panchayats. Crocodile sightings add to villagers' fears. More

Eighty-year-old Narayan Chandra Jena, a two-time Sarpanch of Barasahi village, lives in a dilapidated mud house despite overseeing welfare initiatives. Local officials have now acknowledged his plight and promised action under the Antodaya scheme. More

Kashis Dash, an ABVP member and friend of the deceased Fakir Mohan College student, alleges political conspiracy and mental harassment led to her self-immolation, demanding justice. More

Bhubaneswar witnessed violent clashes as BJD protesters demanding justice for a student's death broke barricades near Lower PMG Square, leading to police using water cannons and tear gas. Over 100 were detained, and several BJD leaders sustained injuries. More

Mayurbhanj, Odisha's largest district, is a vibrant blend of ecological treasures like Similipal National Park, cultural depth with Mayurbhanj Chhau, and a rich royal legacy, including being the birthplace of President Droupadi Murmu. More

The physical fitness test for Home Guard recruitment in Bhubaneswar, postponed to July 18 due to transportation issues, will proceed at the OSAP 7th Battalion ground as originally planned. More

Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced enhanced charges in the student's suicide case, including abetment of suicide and mental trauma, with a widened probe scope. More

BJD's protest in Bhubaneswar over a student's death turned violent, leading to police using water cannons and tear gas. Over 100 detained as protests targeted Lok Seva Bhawan, demanding resignations of CM Mohan Majhi and education ministers. More

A tomato-laden truck caught fire on NH-18 in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, early Wednesday, destroying the vehicle and cargo. The driver and helper escaped unhurt but fled the scene. More

Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja mandates compulsory retirement for underperforming government officials to enhance governance accountability, during a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan. More

IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Odisha till July 19, with a yellow alert for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Jharsuguda. Twin low-pressure systems are driving the rains. More

Wildlife staff recorded 116 nesting sites of endangered estuarine crocodiles in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha, marking a slight increase from last year's 114. The park is a prime habitat for these reptiles, with conservation efforts since 1975 boosting their numbers from 96 to 1,826. More

BJD observes Balasore bandh protesting Soumyashree's death, demanding justice and judicial inquiry into her suicide following harassment complaint inaction. More

A second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, died after self-immolating over inaction on her sexual harassment complaint, sparking political outrage. BJD demands a judicial probe and public apology, while Congress announces 'Odisha Bandh'. More

A private nursing home in Bhadrak, Odisha, allegedly misled elderly villagers into unnecessary eye surgeries to fraudulently claim Ayushman Bharat health card benefits. Nine elderly persons, most of whom had no major eye issues, were first taken to Oupada and then shifted to the private nursing home in Bhadrak town, where they were forcibly subjected to eye surgeries. More

Uddhaba Santa narrowly escaped a bear attack in Nabarangpur's Jharigaon block, saved by cattle herders while bathing in a creek. As per local accounts, the bears suddenly emerged from the adjacent forest and launched a surprise attack on Uddhaba. His cries for help caught the attention of local cattle grazers, who rushed to the scene and managed to drive the bears away by shouting and throwing different objects. More

Following the tragic death of FM College student Soumyashree Bisi, political parties including Congress, BJP, and BJD organized memorials and protests. More

Odisha's '108-Ambulance' service faces severe criticism due to dilapidated conditions, including leaky roofs, broken doors, and missing oxygen cylinders, causing immense patient suffering across regions like Gunupur, Baliguda, Rourkela, and Rajgangpur. Despite mounting complaints, the responsible contract agency has acted ‘slowly’—though new ambulances are promised soon. More

Journalist Rajashree Panigrahi from Baliapal, Odisha, faces death threats after reporting a local dispute, with no police action despite her complaint. She warns of self-immolation over alleged police inaction. Following the news coverage, the sarpanch’s husband allegedly used abusive language and threatened to kill the journalist in broad daylight. More