News from Ganjam

A massive fire in Sundarpur village, Ganjam, caused by a petrol barrel explosion, destroyed Krushna Chandra Sahu's house. The family escaped with minor injuries as fire brigades controlled the blaze. The entire house caught fire within a few minutes and was completely gutted. Eyewitnesses described the flames as uncontrollable, with no one daring to approach due to the intense heat and smoke.

Khanduru village in Ganjam district, once renowned for betel cultivation, faces a steep decline due to lack of government support, monkey attacks, and reduced demand from gutkha use. Farmers urge immediate intervention.

Four individuals, including Jema Mundaja and her son Ganesh, and Damayanti Shabar with her niece Limi Karji, died from snakebites in Ganjam's remote villages due to delayed medical access and poor road connectivity.

Sunakhandi village's lone Anganwadi centre in Ganjam, Odisha, is in ruins, endangering children's safety and learning. Despite complaints, no action has been taken until Bhanjanagar Sub-Collector announced new construction plans. Villagers fear a major tragedy is only a matter of time unless urgent repairs or reconstruction is undertaken.

Pramod Barada allegedly strangled his mother Laxmi Barada, 81, in Dantari Bagada village over a property dispute. Aska police are searching for Pramod.

Jhunu Pal from Ganjam district died after a severe honey bee attack while collecting fruits, highlighting dangers of unmonitored beehives in residential areas. The bizarre incident unfolded in Gopinath Sahi under Belaguntha police limits, where a woman died following a vicious honey bee attack. The deceased has been identified as Jhunu Pal, a resident of the locality.

Om Pradhan's bail plea in the Gopalpur gangrape case stalled due to missing case file, despite being excluded from the chargesheet by Odisha Crime Branch. Earlier, ten persons were arrested, who were accused in the gangrape case, of which four were minors and six others were adults. The Crime Branch had charge sheeted only nine of them.

Authorities in Odisha destroyed over 1,000 kg of Ganja worth Rs 63 lakh, seized from 20 NDPS cases across Kandhamal, marking a significant step in the State's anti-narcotics drive. The destruction was carried out by a narcotics eradication outfit in accordance with legal procedures. The initiative marks a significant step in the State’s ongoing crackdown on illegal narcotics cultivation and distribution in the region.

M. Venkata Ramana, an Odia youth from Ganjam district, remains untraced a month after being abducted by Al Qaeda in Mali, leaving his family in despair.

Odisha Crime Branch files a detailed 574-page chargesheet in the Gopalpur gangrape case, involving ten accused, including four minors, highlighting swift investigation and calls for justice. The case, which involved the heinous gangrape of a young woman in the beach area on June 14 in Ganjam district, had sparked statewide outrage and was soon flagged as a high-sensitivity case.

A woman from Prayagi village, Ganjam, protests outside her lover Sameer Tarai's house after being deceived with a false marriage promise, threatening extreme steps if justice is denied. Meanwhile, the man’s family has denied any accusations of mistreating her during her stay in front of their home, stating they ensured her well-being.

PG students at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, accuse Associate Professor Bharati Das of mental harassment, leading to a planned investigation by the institution. MKCG authorities have intervened, calling both parties for a discussion on the matter. However, the associate professor is yet to comment in this regard.

A health team investigates a suspected diarrhoea outbreak in Damapur village, Ganjam, after three deaths and several illnesses, with officials providing relief and initiating preventive measures.

Arian Behera was critically injured in a brutal attack involving chili powder and sharp weapons in Ganjam's Bhatakumarada, with police investigating the motive.

Odisha Vigilance caught Pusha Munda, Ganjam's Chief Supplies Officer, with Rs 3 lakh in unexplained cash near Chhatrapur, highlighting ongoing corruption in the public supply chain. The cash, all in Rs 500 denomination notes bundled in six wads, was found hidden inside the vehicle. A detailed probe by the Vigilance sleuths is underway.