News from Berhampur

A social media post by Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M using emojis to cover accused faces in an assault case has gone viral, blending humour with legal compliance.

Sources said that three persons entered the house of the youth and attacked him with sharp weapons. Later, the injured youth was rushed to MKCG hospital in Berhampur in a critical condition.

The family members ruled out it to be a case of suicide and alleged foul play in the incident. They alleged that the hostel authorities first informed that they came to know about the health condition of the girl student after getting a call from a youth.

Police and the food safety unit of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) jointly busted an adulterated edible oil packaging unit in Gajapati Nagar, Berhampur.

At least two persons were killed in a road mishap under Hinjili police limits in Odisha's Ganjam district on Thursday. A pick up van lost control and collided with a truck near Pitala chhak in Aska, resulting in the death of two Sundarapalli village residents. In other news, Sadar Police raided an illegal gutkha manufacturing unit at Baunsiapalli in Berhampur, detaining five persons involved.

Berhampur University has been awarded a Rs 2 crore project by the ICSSR to conduct a five-year longitudinal study on human-wildlife conflict in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha. The project aims to reconcile conflicts involving elephants, blackbucks, leopards, and snakes. Collaborations include MDS University, XIM University, and CYSD. The findings will provide policy recommendations for socio-economic and technological models.

At least seven students from Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur have been expelled by the college authorities for indulging in 'restricted activities'. The notification from the Office of the Student Welfare Dean stated that these students violated HoR Rules and Code of Conduct on 11 September 2024. A fine of Rs 2000 was imposed on one student, and a police platoon has been deployed to prevent any potential unrest.

Pratap Badatya, a fine art artist from Berhampur's Badakusasthali area, overcame financial hardships to impress President Droupadi Murmu during an art exhibition at Rashtrapati Bhavan. After working in Surat and enhancing his skills in Bhubaneswar and Mumbai, Badatya became part of the 'SRIJAN 2024' Artist-in-Residency initiative. He now plans to open his studio.

The incident has been reported from Gaudasahi area under Bada Bazar police limits in Berhampur. Initial reports say that the thief gained entry into the residence of the gold trader, identified as Satish Kumar Subudhi, between 4 am to 5 am today by cutting iron grill.

The kid accidentally slipped from the Durg-Puri train and got stranded in a forest area throughout the night. As per initial reports, Pritish was travelling along with his father Manas Hota and others from Raipur to Bhubaneswar.

The raids are being conducted over allegations of possession of disproportionate assets by the BEO. Simultaneous searches are being conducted by Odisha Vigilance at six places in Ganjam district.

BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda visited Balarampur village to meet the family of two minors who died in an LPG cylinder explosion. He consoled the grieving parents and assured them of support.

Berhampur Excise Superintendent Pradip Panigrahi has been suspended following the deaths of two individuals in Chikiti, Ganjam district, due to spurious country liquor consumption. Odisha Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan ordered his immediate removal. Excise Inspector Ramesh Chandra Mohanty and Sub Inspector Prasanna Kumar Dhali were also transferred. The minister demanded strict action against illegal liquor traders.

In a tragic incident, five people were killed and 20 others critically injured when a private bus collided with a gas tanker near Samarjhola Chhak in Berhampur early Thursday. The identities of the deceased are unknown. The bus from Bhawanipatna was heading to Berhampur. District officials and police initiated rescue operations, transporting the injured to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

Meanwhile, politics is now active over the Ganjam Hooch tragedy. Pandemonium was also witnessed in the Odisha Assembly over the issue.