News from Bhubaneswar

Odisha government to announce a major decision tonight on the self-immolation of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student Soumyashree Bisi, with CM Mohan Charan Majhi likely to take action post his return from Cuttack. The incident triggered a high-level review meeting today, attended by the two Deputy CMs and the Revenue Minister. The government is determined to ensure justice for the deceased and her family.

IMD forecasts heavy rain, thunderstorms in several Odisha districts including Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur over the next 24 hours, with warnings for gusty winds. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at many places over the districts of Odisha. The IMD regional centre has issued Orange alert for next 24 hours and Yellow alerts for next seven days (till July 22).

Odisha Police, under ADG Sanjeep Panda, intensifies anti-Naxal operations with a toll-free number for public intelligence, aiming for a Naxal-free Odisha by March 2026. To strengthen public participation, a toll-free number will be introduced where citizens can report the Naxal movement confidentially. Informants will be rewarded, and their identities will be kept strictly secret.

Odisha suspends rice distribution to 20.58 lakh beneficiaries lacking e-KYC for ration cards, with a three-month window for compliance before permanent cancellation, as stated by Minister Krushnachandra Patra.

Three female students' deaths in six months at KIIT University and FM College, Odisha, have sparked campus safety fears. The girl student's self-immolation over alleged harassment and two suicides at KIIT highlight systemic failures.

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Odisha for two days, attending convocations at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and Ravenshaw University, with extensive security measures in place. Her itinerary includes attending the 5th convocation of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar tomorrow and the 13th convocation of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack on July 15. Security arrangements have reached their final stage ahead of the high-profile visit.

Opposition BJD and Congress protested at Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj's residence in Bhubaneswar over a Balasore college girl's self-immolation attempt, alleging faculty harassment and justice denial. Protesters raised slogans and tried to breach the barricades, leading to scuffles with police personnel. During confrontation, several agitators were detained and forcefully removed by police.

Archana directly named prominent BJD leaders including Bobby Das, Manas Mangaraj, and Amaresh Jena, accusing them of orchestrating a plot to frame her. 

Private buses in Odisha will resume operations from tomorrow, ending the transport strike. The State Private Bus Owners’ Association announced the decision after a meeting held in Puri. Bus operations had been paralysed across Odisha due to ongoing agitation by the drivers’ association, leaving thousands stranded and affecting daily transport services.

Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangh's 'quit steering' protest enters day four, with president Prashant Menduli vowing peaceful continuation until demands are met, despite internal dissent and political engagements. The outfit member drivers will not disrupt any vehicular movement, but will continue the stir so long as their demands are not met.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's helicopter remains grounded at Kendrapara Autonomous College, raising public safety and parade location concerns ahead of Independence Day. Despite the time elapsed, there has been no successful repair, raising serious concerns. Residents also fear that a second location has to be identified for the parade.

IMD predicts heavy rain and thunderstorms in Odisha due to cyclonic circulation, issuing a Yellow Warning for several districts till July 17. Heavy rain and thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Nuapada, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj on Friday.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Odisha state and BJP-led central governments of corruption and suppression at the Samvidhan Bachao rally in Bhubaneswar, highlighting issues like voter fraud, tribal rights, and women's safety.

The 'Quit Steering Wheel' protest by Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha enters day four, disrupting transport and fuel supply, amid allegations of political co-option following leniency towards Congress vehicles for Rahul Gandhi’s rally.

BJP's Odisha unit criticizes Rahul Gandhi's 'Samvidhan Bachao Yatra', calling it a bid to revive Congress, not protect the Constitution.