News from Dhenkanal

Mining major Vedanta has begun the process of acquiring land in Dhenkanal, Odisha, for setting up a massive 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) aluminium smelter, a top company executive confirmed on Wednesday.

Abhiska Sandha, a three-year-old girl from Dhenkanal district, Odisha, has earned a place in the India Book of Records for her remarkable intelligence and quick thinking. Her flawless answers in an online competition amazed judges and won her national recognition. Her achievement has inspired pride in her family and community, highlighting the impact of early learning and parental support.

A family in Pakatamunda village, Dhenkanal, carried Sidha Munda's body 2 km on a cot after the hearse got stuck on damaged roads, highlighting infrastructure gaps in rural Odisha. While returning to their village with the body in a hearse, the vehicle became immobile due to severely damaged roads. The incident has raised serious questions about infrastructure and road connectivity in rural Odisha.

In Dhenkanal's Nabakishorpur Sabarsahi, Jitu Dehuri brutally assaulted his elderly uncle over a personal conflict, captured in a viral video with no villager intervention; police arrested him. The incident, which reportedly lasted for more than 15 minutes, unfolded in full view of the villagers—yet no one intervened. The footage went viral on social media on Friday, drawing massive public outrage.

Puja Patra, 25, was allegedly beaten to death by her husband Rashmit Patra in Dhenkanal over dowry demands. Police have detained him and are investigating. As per an FIR lodged by the victim’s parental family, Puja was subjected to regular physical abuse and mental harassment by her husband and mother-in-law, who allegedly pressured her to bring money from her parental home.

A self-styled Baba in Kamakhyanagar, Dhenkanal, has been detained over rape allegations by a woman working at his ashram's eatery, sparking local outrage. The victim woman, who worked as a cook/helper in the ashram’s eatery (Bhojanalaya), filed a formal complaint alleging that the Baba sexually assaulted her one night while she was sleeping inside the ashram premises.

A Class 10 girl in Dhenkanal was allegedly attempted to be sexually assaulted by three men on a bike. The accused fled when she screamed, leading to their arrest by Sadar police. The incident has triggered deep concern and outrage in the locality, with locals demanding strict action and increased security for school-going children, especially girls.

A woman attempted self-immolation in Dhenkanal's Bhuvan NAC area due to a family dispute over unpaid EMIs, sustaining severe burns and being treated at SCB Medical College.

Hundreds of Odisha college teachers protested for job security and pension reforms, warning of statewide college shutdowns if demands are unmet by August 16. The district president of the outfit confirmed this course of action, emphasising that the patience of educators is running thin due to continued government inaction.

Muliya Samal, a farmer from Tangishala village in Dhenkanal, Odisha, was trampled to death by a wild elephant while heading to his farmland. The incident highlights the escalating human-elephant conflict in the region.

Niranjan Satapathy arrested for allegedly cheating Odisha's Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra in a Rs 25 lakh land fraud case, with Dhenkanal SP confirming the arrest after a detailed probe. The incident has raised eyebrows, especially considering the high-profile nature of the victim.

EMRI Green Health Services denies receiving any call for a 108-ambulance for three-year-old Raju Munda, who died after falling into a canal in Dhenkanal, sparking local outrage over alleged healthcare delays. No phone call in this regard was received by the organisation, the service provider said in a written statement.

The body of Yadavendra Sahu, a 26-year-old Odia MBBS student at AIIMS Patna, reached his village in Dhankala's Baidyakateni. His family alleges murder, sparking grief and demands for justice. He was spotted four days ago while lying on his bed in his hostel room, which was locked from inside. Villagers gathered in large numbers to pay their last respects, their eyes filled with tears.

Pradeepta Behera, a water supply department worker, went missing after slipping into the Ramial river near Rekula village in Dhenkanal while cleaning a water control gate.

A wild tusker trapped in Brahmani River due to sudden water surge escaped safely after hours of struggle. The herd was moving from Parjang locality towards Hindol when the incident occurred. As they attempted to cross the river, a sudden increase in the water level and fierce current caused the tusker to lose contact with the group and get stuck midstream.