News from Ganjam

In rural areas of Ganjam district, quacks are ruling the roost, putting the lives of innocent people at risk.

Frequent ownership changes have hindered development at Gopalpur Port in Odisha's Ganjam district. Residents, particularly the fishermen community, face an uncertain future due to jetty construction. The Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister suspects deliberate actions behind these changes, with hopes for improvement under potential new ownership by Adani Group.

As per reports, there was a heated exchange between both students over a trivial issue in the school. Subsequently, one among them lost his cool and stabbed the other with a sharp-edged weapon causing grievous injury.

To prevent post-poll violence in Ganjam, local police have imposed early closing hours on liquor shops, hotels, tea stalls, and eateries until June 4. The measures were announced by SP Jagmohan Meena alongside ongoing efforts to arrest criminals and maintain law and order through intensified patrols.

Subash Sahu, BJP's Ganjam district President, was allegedly attacked by BJD supporters at Totapada, resulting in his vehicle being vandalized and him suffering a hand fracture.

Concealing all the sorrows in her heart, the victim's wife and other family members came to polling booth-71 and exercised their franchise during the second phase of elections on Monday.

During the second phase of polling in Odisha, tensions escalated with a clash between BJD and BJP workers over alleged election rigging in Ganjam. Simultaneously, an unrelated murder of an auto-rickshaw driver occurred in Bargarh, further heightening tensions.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has started probing the alleged murder of BJP worker Dilip Pahan in Khallikote, where all election booths have been declared as sensitive booths.

As per latest development, the SIT will conduct a detailed investigation and arrest the remaining accused persons early. Besides, focus will be given on collection of proper evidence (scientific/forensic/digital) and submission of chargesheet within 30 days for early trial of the case.

BJP leaders claimed the murder of Dilip Puhan in Khallikote was orchestrated by Saket Rama Rao, nephew of the late queen V. Sugnana Kumari Deo. They alleged that it was a politically motivated attack that took place after a large feast was thrown at the queen's bungalow, which was termed as a corruption hub.

Some BJD workers allegedly launched a deadly attack on the supporters of the BJP while they were putting up party banners as part of electioneering.

In the ongoing 2024 Odisha elections, many migrant workers from Kantabanji, where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is contesting, are unable to vote due to employer restrictions. Despite their pleas and viral videos highlighting their plight, these workers remain stranded out-of-state, impacting voter turnout.

During a campaign event in Kabisuryanagar, supporters of BJD leader Latika Pradhan reportedly misbehaved with Chhaya Behera, who questioned the MLA nominee about local development. The altercation resulted in Behera being physically attacked and later hospitalized.

BJD's MLA candidate for Khallikote, Suryamani Vaidya, faced stiff opposition from local residents during her campaign in various panchayats. Villagers accused her of neglecting development and failing to fulfill promises made in the 2019 election.

In Odisha, during the first phase of polling, BJP candidate Narasingha Bhatra from Jharigaon was allegedly attacked by BJD workers. This incident and another attack on BJP agents in Berhampur marked election-related violence. Police complaints were filed and investigations are ongoing.