News from Bhardak

Women in Bhadrak's Rajgharpokhari Chhak staged a night-long dharna demanding the closure of a government-run liquor shop, citing increased antisocial activities and illegal sales.

In Bhadrak's Ramchandrapur village, Subash Mahakud died from a snakebite. Although doctors had declared him dead, his family turned to a Gunia (sorcerer) for 'Jhada Phunka' (a typical sorcery practice) rituals, highlighting the clash between science and superstition. Despite the medical team’s clear declaration, the family ignored scientific facts in favour of sorcery.

ITI student Rudra Pratap Sahu from Bhadrak went missing while bathing in the Puri sea with friends. Lifeguard teams are conducting a search amid rough sea conditions. The incident took place in the morning when Rudra, along with his friends, entered the sea for a bath. During this time, he was swept away by the sea water and could not be located.

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.

Three individuals, including a father-son duo, died in a head-on collision between two Bullet motorcycles near Jarada in Ganjam district, Odisha. Another sustained severe injuries. The impact was so severe that both motorcycles were crushed on the spot. Another man sustained grievous injuries and is undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital.

A couple in Odisha's Bhadrak district faced hardships during their wedding due to a muddy 3km village road, leading to the groom being carried on shoulders and the bride walking carefully. Due to the knee-deep mud, traditional elements like a decorated wedding car, a DJ music band, or procession lights were absent. Villagers threaten future election boycott over neglect.

A 14-year-old boy, Soumyaranjan Raut, died after a DJ vehicle overturned during Rath Yatra in Anaharapur village, Bhadrak district. The incident has sparked tension and criticism over lax enforcement of DJ bans.

A man was arrested for hurling stones at the Howrah-bound Jan Shatabdi Express in Bhadrak district, Odisha, damaging a coach window. Target of the stone attack was coach number D/13, where the force of impact shattered a windowpane. However, no passenger or railway staffs were harmed in the stone hurling.

Saraswati Barik found dead in Bhadrak's Kaithakhola village; family alleges dowry torture by in-laws, especially after the birth of her girl child. Saraswati, had married Manoranjan Barik nearly three years ago, but soon after their marriage, tensions allegedly arose over a demand for dowry, with the woman’s in-laws subjecting her to repeated abuse.

Villagers in Bhadrak's Rajpur demolished Pratap Jena's house over sorcery suspicions following unexplained deaths and supernatural claims, leading to police intervention. Tensions have been running high in nearby areas after several unexplained deaths, including the sudden demise of some villagers and claims of female residents experiencing ‘ghost-like’ encounters.

Police arrested Bhagaban Das, the prime accused in the kidnapping of Pratap Behera linked to coal mafia in Bhadrak. Behera was rescued from Mayurbhanj with injuries.

Basudevpur administration in Bhadrak district conducts raids on eateries for food safety violations amid diarrhoea concerns, fines two hotels and a sweet shop.

Bhubaneswar cyber police arrested Umashankar Dixit for a Rs 12 lakh investment scam via WhatsApp, promising high returns but vanishing after collecting money across eight states. Umashankar was getting a two percent commission through his current account given for use to another cyber fraudster involved in the racket.

Eight individuals tested positive for cholera in Odisha's Jajpur and Bhadrak districts. Out of the 41 stool samples collected, eight have tested positive for cholera. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja directed immediate water-testing and sanitation efforts. The State launched a campaign against waterborne diseases during the rainy season.

Partition refugees in Bhadrak, Odisha, face eviction from lands occupied for 78 years, despite official records. Tulasi Debanath's family among those affected, with legal disputes pending. Her father-in-law, Prasanna Kumar Debanath, fled from undivided East Pakistan and was among five families who first stayed in a temporary refugee camp in Maitapur.