News from Sundargarh

During their visits, the SIT uncovered evidence suggesting that illegal mining mafias had created artificial mining pits deep within forested zones and were secretly extracting valuable minerals like manganese and iron ore.

Two young men died and another was critically injured when their motorcycle hit a stationary Hyva trawler near Brahmanipali, Sundargarh. The incident highlights ongoing road safety issues in the area.

A CRPF jawan, Satyaban Singh, was critically injured in an IED blast during anti-Maoist operations near Banko stone quarry in Sundargarh, Odisha. The blast is suspected to be linked to stolen explosives.

Thousands of overqualified candidates, including B.Tech and MBA graduates, competed for 107 Home Guard positions in Rourkela city of Sundargarh district, highlighting Odisha's severe employment crisis. Astonishing scenes unfolded in the city as over 9,000 candidates appeared for the home guard recruitment exam.

Police intensify investigation into the Sundargarh explosives heist, questioning warehouse owner Shravan Agrawal and issuing a notice to Banko stone mine for negligence. They are probing how a truck loaded with a large quantity of explosives was dispatched solely under the charge of a driver, with no apparent security measures in place.

Rourkela Police intensify probe into Sundargarh explosives loot, interrogating warehouse owner Shravan Agrawal and his wife to uncover Maoist links, if any. The couple has been brought on a two-day remand. Each of them is linked to two explosive storage warehouses, each with valid licenses under their names.

Odisha Police conducts massive raids on explosives warehouses in Sundargarh and Keonjhar to ensure compliance with the Explosives Act and public safety, following the Rourkela incident. Inspections are underway at 11 warehouse locations in Keonjhar district, including Ghatagaon, Barbil, Balani, Joda, and Rugudi.

The operation was carried out by personnel from the elite COBRA Battalion, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Special Operations Group (SOG), based on credible intelligence inputs about Maoist activities in the region.

Suspicion and alarm grip Rourkela after two trucks loaded with explosives were found in a questionable condition near Balighat. It is said that more than eight tonnes of explosive materials were found in the two trucks. The incident raises fresh concerns just days after Maoists looted 4 tons of explosives from a nearby mining area.

Security forces recovered over 75% of looted explosives after a gunfight with Naxalites near the Odisha-Jharkhand border. The clash highlights ongoing tensions as combing operations continue. The fierce gunfight erupted in a forest around 20 kilometres inside the neighbouring state.

Sources said the bribe was demanded for a routine official favour, and a formal complaint had been filed with the Vigilance Department by the affected individual. Acting swiftly, vigilance officials laid a trap and apprehended the officer while he was accepting the money.

The sighting has sparked curiosity among wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists, with many emphasizing the need to protect such rare species and their natural habitats.

Union Minister Jual Oram refutes rumours of his ill health and disappearance, confirming his commitment to duties via social media platform X. Earlier, reports in national and regional media suggested that Oram had gone missing while travelling from Delhi to Jabalpur.

Ajay Kumar Sahu, an RPF employee in Odisha, faces allegations from his third wife of being married to four women and planning a fifth marriage. Despite her FIR, no action has been taken. Allegedly, he has taken around Rs 4.67 lakh along with jewellery from the complainant woman.

Three were arrested post-firing at a Dhaba in Rourkela, Sundargarh district, in connection with a firing and loot incident. Baneswar Singh and Sibanath Singh injured in police exchange. Authorities stress 'zero tolerance' for crime. A detailed probe is underway.