And what is more, a three-member team of the Animal Husbandry department visited the village to ascertain the cause behind the death of so many fowls.
Ranjit Parida, a native of Kandagardai village under Nilagiri police limits, has a poultry farm in the same village. There was a marriage ceremony in the village on November 21. In the night, the bridegroom was taken in a procession. The members of bridegroom’s entourage were dancing to the tunes of DJ sound system, which was playing at top pitch.
The procession stopped near Ranjit’s farmhouse for sometime, with the music still blaring. “On finding out that the chickens got disturbed apparently due to the DJ music sound, I requested the elders in the procession to lower down the volume and move ahead. However, they were in no mood to listen to me,” alleged Ranjit.
“The chickens could not withstand the loud music and died due to heart failure,” Ranjit further alleged, adding he had to lodge a police complaint after the organiser of the procession who had promised to compensate the loss went back on his word.
Echoing the same, Ranjit’s father Dhirendra Parida alleged the chickens in the farm suddenly started clucking while the procession was passing close to the farm. “Ranjit rushed to the farm to see what happened and sprinkled water on them. Despite his efforts as many as 63 chickens died,” he maintained.
The incident has since been the talk of the locality as it has never heard of chickens suffering heart attacks due to high decibel DJ sound. The incident even attracted the attention of the Animal Husbandry department. A special three-member team of the department Wednesday visited the village to ascertain the exact cause of death of the fowls.
The carcasses had been buried. Upon reaching the village, the officials exhumed the dead birds and collected blood samples. They also collected samples from the chickens alive in the farm. The samples will be sent to a laboratory in Bhubaneswar for test.
As of now, all eyes are on the finding of the report as only it will help end the doubts that emerged after the poultry farmer lodged a case.
Balasore additional district veterinary officer (ADVO) Sibaprasad Das didn’t rule out the possibility of high decibel sound causing the birds’ death. “If the decibel of a certain sound is much more than the permissible limit, it may prove fatal to human beings as well as birds. So we can’t dismiss the allegation as baseless. We expect the report will reach us within a week," Das added.
Meanwhile, the groom’s family is learnt to have been negotiating with the farm owner to solve the case amicably.
Moreover, the farmers also alleged that they are also not receiving their payments within 24 to 72 hours of depositing the crop at mandis as promised by the State government. Some farmers alleged that they got their payments after seven to eight days of procurement.
A farmer from Kaptipada, Maheswara Patra said “Millers are deducting 10-12 kg paddy per quintal based on their whims. Therefore, we have been demanding an increase in minimum support price (MSP). When the neighbouring state has increased the MSP to Rs 2,500 per quintal, why the Odisha government is keeping it at Rs 1,750?”
Another farmer from Bargarh, Arupa Pradhan rued, “We are getting money after 7-8 days of procurement even though the State government promised that the amount will be disbursed in 2-3 days. We are facing a lot of difficulties.”
“The millers are asking for significant concessions and when we are questioning, they are not procuring from us,” stated Ganeswara Biswal, a farmer from Nilagiri.
It is pertinent to mention that the State Cabinet during a meeting in September decided that paddy procurement money will be credited to the bank account of farmers in three days of procurement and there will be no cuts or concessions on the quantity of paddy on account of FAQ.
Odisha Food Supplies Minister SN Patro had recently said that action will be taken against persons involved in purchasing paddy from farmers below the MSP.
“If anyone purchases paddy at rates higher that MSP, there's no objection. But in case anyone purchases the crop below the MSP, action will be taken against the buyer,” Patro had said.
According to sources the members of either side had entered into an altercation at Nilagiri road near Sheragada police limits. Later, another clash reportedly broke out between them near Ambudiha Chhak under Khantapada police limits.
Police said the groups attacked each other with knives. Three persons, who were injured in the incident, were subsequently rushed to Nilagiri hospital. One of them had to be shifted to Balasore hospital after his condition deteriorated.
“Three persons came and started abusing us. Later they attacked us with knives when we were returning home,” said Tapan Patra, an injured.
Meanwhile, police detained two persons who are being interrogated in connection with the incident.
“After an interrogation of the detained youths, it is understood that two youths of either group were in love with the same girl. The incident was the fallout of the ongoing rivalry between them,” said Abhimanyu Das, ASI of Sheragada Beat House.
According to sources, the deceased identified as Bhalua Kabat, in an inebriated state attempted to attack the youth on November 22 after entering his house with a sharp weapon. In retaliation, the family members of the youth brutally attacked him.
After getting information, police reached the spot, rescued Bhalua and admitted him to Nilagiri hospital. However, he was later shifted to Balasore medical after his condition deteriorated.
"Bhalua barged into the boy's house with a sharp weapon on November 22 following which he was attacked by other members of the family. He died at Balasore hospital around 12 AM yesterday," Berhampur Police Station in-charge Rajendra Prasad Das said.
Sources said a feud had broken out last year between both the families over the alleged affair.
While police have detained seven persons in the case and launched an investigation, body of the deceased has been sent for an autopsy.
The incident took place yesterday night when the agitated villagers armed with sticks allegedly attacked the forest personnel and damaged their vehicles.
"We were guarding the village when around 60 to 70 people came and physically assaulted us for not guarding their crop fields," alleged forester Umakant Jena.
After getting information, police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
On the other hand, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, Laxman Pradhan said that the elephants will be chased away only after police take action against the villagers.
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"Villagers of Hatimunda came with sticks and brutally assaulted our staff. If action is not action taken against them, we will not drive away the elephants," Pradhan said.
The deceased has been identified as Sasmita Dey, a Plus-III final year student of Nilagiri Women's College. Sasmita had hung herself from a ceiling fan on September 28, informed police.
"Despite stringent rules and regulations in place, such incidents are coming to the fore. I have no idea about the incident so I can't comment anything about it," Principal of Nilagiri Women's College, Manjushree Panda, said.
According to police, Sasmita was in a relationship with another girl student staying in a mess near the college hostel. A few days back, Sasmita had requested her partner to marry her. However, Sasmita took the extreme step after her request was turned down by her partner, informed police.
After recovering the hand-written notes and mobile phone of the deceased girl student, police have arrested her 'partner' and registered a case under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
"From the hand-written notes it is evident that they were in a relationship. The day when Sasmita committed suicide she had called her partner multiple times. She took the extreme step after the other girl didn't receive her call," Inspector-in-charge of Nilagiri Police Station, Lalita Modi said.
No comments could be obtained from the arrested student.
According to sources, the woman engulfed in fire was rescued by locals and admitted into Nilagiri hospital in critical condition.
As per reports, the in-laws of the victim had asked for a gold chain from her parents 3 months back. After their demand was not fulfilled, the woman's husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law allegedly poured kerosene and set her on fire.
"They poured kerosene on me and set me on fire. I started running and later some local villagers threw water on me and brought me to the hospital. My husband and in-laws used to torture me and abuse me for not giving them a gold chain," the victim said.
As per reports, Ujjwal Singh and Raju Singh were rendered homeless after the wild elephants destroyed their houses and paddy. The victims along with their families are forced to live in thatched house in the cold weather.
Both of them have alleged that due to the lackadaisical approach of the forest department they are in severe distress.
No comments could be obtained from the district forest officials in connection with the case.
Panchalingeswara temple which is situated on the hilltop of the Eastern Ghats in the area becomes flooded with tourists from all around the state. The famous shrine is a beautiful place for darshan of the Lord Shiva. Surrounded by serene natural landscapes, the place offers tourists great experience of sightseeing and picnic.
Moreover, a stream running down the hill is another attraction where tourists enjoy bathing and also offer prayers to the deity.
Through the Nilagiri state highways, tourists can take the narrow road that leads straight into the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary which is an integral part of tourism in northern Odisha.
Filled with wide range of flora and fauna, sanctuary provides an experience of a lifetime to tourists who come here to enjoy the natural paradise.
Besides, Panchalingeswar temple, the Jagannath temple and Guhuribal dam situated nearby also catch the attention of the tourists.
Special arrangements for boating and bird watching have been made in the Guhuribal dam while provisions for lodging have also been made by the forest department for facilitating night stay.
A visit to this place gives us a wonderful feeling. The rich combination of flora and fauna of this area is like no other," said Prasanna Chakraborty, a tourist from West Bengal.
"This place boasts of natural beauty and is surrounded with a number of tourist destinations. Tourists generally love to stay here for 2-3 days, "said tourist guide Manoranjan Das.
According to sources, the vehicles were seized after the district RTO and Nilagiri police conducted raids at various places in the district to check license of vehicles, especially the school vans.
During the raid, fines were collected from the vehicle owners who failed to produce necessary documents and license to the officials, sources said.
Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt to nab the owners of the vans seized during the raid.
"The license check mainly targeted the school vans running in the town. The vehicles seized did not have requisite license and documents. The vehicles will be released only after the owners pay the imposed fine to the RTO," informed Nilagiri IIC, Nalita Modi.
Moreover, this constant fear has forced the villagers of Kuldiha and Mangad under Baunsabania panchayat to spend the whole night on treetop houses to guard their farmlands.
"The elephants have damaged our standing crops. The forest officials come and drive away the animals with the help of crackers and lights. But as soon as the officials leave, the elephants enter again and destroy the crops. When we try to stop them, they attack us,” a local alleged.
"I take food with me and spend the whole night on the top of the tree to guard my crop lands. Although, this happens every year, this time the situation is getting worse," another villager alleged.
As per reports, the villagers are trying their best by using all possible measures to prevent their crop lands from being damaged. They have reportedly used torches, burning tyres, crackers but in vain. Even the efforts of the forest department have failed to yield any result, locals said.
The bear had entered the village from a nearby forest last night and was stuck unable to find its way back to the forest, sources said.
However, the bear was caught later by Forest personnel after a rescue operation spanning hours.
Nilagiri Ranger, Debendra Nath Patra stated that a rescue team from Similipal was sent to the village to capture the bear.
The water is stagnated for weeks and has been emitting foul smell and breeding mosquitoes. There has been no proper flow of drain water through drain pipes due to lack of maintenance and repairs. People of the locality complained that they suffer from mosquito-borne diseases frequently.
Drains are clogged by trash, but authorities are shifting responsibilities instead of desilting them, said Ajay Parichha, a local resident.
Another resident Karunakar Mohanty said, "Choked drains are resulting into water overflow near my shop and the public road causing inconvenience."
Manoj Moharana, another local resident, stated foul smell is emanating from the open drains. Apart from this, poor drainage system has become breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies," he added.
On the other hand, Nilagiri sub-collector Aboli Sunil Naraene said the drains will be cleaned on a war-footing before the onset of rainy season.
"Efforts are on to clean up the garbage and desilting of drains. I would also request people of Nilagiri not to dump trash in drains," she added.
Similar scene can be seen in the Udala NAC area of Mayurbhanj district. In almost every ward, drains have been choked and water overflowing on roads after a brief spell of rain. Question is being raised over proper execution of the Swachh Bharat Mission under which crores of rupees are being spent for cleanliness and sanitation drive.
Laxmidhara Nayak, a local resident, stated, "Outlet system of drains is not working because of which water gets stuck. If this is the condition in usual days, what it would be like during rainy days."
However, Soubhagya Sahu, chairman, Udala NAC feigned ignorance of drainage issue in the locality. He said, "Efforts on to channelise drain water into a nearby river. I have also asked the Rural Development department and the Public Works department to take necessary steps to keep drainage system proper," Sahu stated.
Following a tip-off on movement of poachers in the sanctuary, five personnel reached the spot.
However, the miscreants, almost 80 in numbers, hiding in the woods, suddenly appeared and overpowered them, informed sources. The officials were thrashed black and blue, leaving most of them critically injured.
One of the five injured officials was rushed to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital after his condition worsened.
"They appeared suddenly and launched the attack. Five officials have been injured in the incident. While one of them has his wrist broken, another one has sustained head injuries," informed Balasore Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Biswaraj Panda.
To prevent recurrence of such incidents, at least one squad of the armed police force should be deployed along with the Forest staff, he stated.
"I have spoken to Balasore SP and asked for a team of armed police," Panda added.
The girl, who is a minor, met Balasore SP, B Jugal Kishore this morning at his office and urged him to provide police protection for self and her partner stating that they are being threatened by family members. Acting on her complaint, the SP directed the district police to conduct a thorough probe.
“One week ago, they had contacted me through WhatsApp and told me that their lives were under threat and approached me to rescue them. The girl came to my office this morning. The girl has been sent for medical examination and her statement will be recorded under Section-164 of the CrPC before the Magistrate. Action will be taken based on her statement,” the SP said.
A few days back, the young couple had uploaded a video on social media stating that their lives were under threat. The duo had even alleged that their family members might kill them with the help of contract killers.
According to reports, four forest officials allegedly attempted to rape the woman, who was sleeping along with her minor daughter on a scaffolding to watch and protect her paddy crops from wild animal attacks. On the fateful night, the woman's husband could not accompany her due to some work.
Villagers rushed to the spot after the woman raised an alarm when the forest guards tried to sexually assault her. They caught hold of three guards, beat them up and detained them till police arrived. However, the fourth accused managed to escape.
"We want justice as the forest officials have committed an offence," said the woman's brother.
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Dinabandhu Mohant, assistant sub-inspector of Nilagiri police station informed that a detailed inquiry will be conducted basing on the complaint filed by the woman's family.
Addressing a press conference, Balasore SP, B Jugal Kishore stated that the accused Nityachandan Jena was arrested from Bandha Chhak in Bhadrak this evening.
Jena absconded after allegedly raping the 4-year-old minor girl by luring her with chocolates.
Though the incident occurred on April 13, the family members of the minor girl lodged a formal police complaint in connection with the incident on April 15.
“Police swung into action after a complaint was filed in connection with the incident. Special teams were formed and raids were conducted at several places in Keonjhar and Jajpur and subsequently the accused was nabbed from Bhadrak,” said Kishore.
Senior police officials further informed that the minor girl’s medical examination has been done and her statement recorded before the magistrate under section 164 CrPC.
The rape of the minor girl sparked off a political storm with BJP MLA from Remuna, Govinda Das today alleging that the accused was the nephew of the local BJD MLA.
However, Balasore SP stated that the accused has been arrested and his political links are being investigated.
The minor girl was allegedly raped and subjected to torture by a 24-year-old youth who was her neighbour.
The shocking incident has been reported from Baunsabania panchayat and the girl was raped after the youth lured her with some chocolates.
As the private parts of the girl have been mutilated, she has been admitted to Nilagiri hospital in a critical condition.
Police have launched a manhunt to nab the absconding youth after the minor's family lodged a complaint in connection with the incident.
"Being very young the girl is mentally unstable to give her statement. As the youth is absconding we suspect there is some truth behind the incident. Facts will be revealed after medical examination of the girl," said Nilagiri police station IIC Ramesh Singh.
The shocking incident has been reported from Putibandha village under Barhampur police limits.
The 12-year-old minor girl was reportedly staying with a couple who had adopted her. Prior to this, the girl was staying with a woman who had reportedly found her some eight days back.
According to reports, the girl was physically tortured after she insisted on visiting the house of the woman she was with earlier. Later, the woman’s husband allegedly raped the minor girl along with three of his friends.
After the matter came to light, five including the couple were beaten up by local villagers in a ‘Praja Court’ before being handed over to police.
As the minor girl is still untraceable, it is suspected that the accused have hidden her.
Senior police officials informed that two of the accused have confessed to have abandoned the girl at Koptipada.
"So far we have not been able to trace her and further investigation in this connection is on," said Officer-in-charge of Barhampur police station, Gopal Chandra Singh.
It is suspected that it could be a case of alleged human sacrifice as a black cloth was wrapped around the minor boy's neck with injury marks on other parts.
However, the family claimed that the boy was attacked by a local youth, who had entered their house to commit robbery.
Earlier, the minor had went missing from his house at Biswalsahi village in the evening. Though the family members were looking for the kid, they could not trace him for long.
Later, the boy was recovered in an unconscious state from the puja room of the house and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
As per sources, the incident is said to have been recorded in the CCTV camera of the ATM adjacent to the two shops - Biswakarma Jewelry and Sriram Variety store.
However, the amount of valuables, including the gold and silver ornaments looted, is yet to be estimated.
Meanwhile the locals alleged that it is the negligence of police that is leading to such cases as patrolling is never tight in the area. This is the reason why the miscreants got sufficient time to loot the shops.
Nilagiri IIC Ramesh Chandra Singh said, “Seeing ‘violation mark’ on the shutter of Biswakarma Jewelry in Sajanagarh Market, the owners called us up this morning. We rushed to the spot and started investigating into the incident. The miscreants have broken the shutter and the owners say, apart from jewellery looted, the iron chest has also been emptied, though the amount of ornaments looted has not been estimated yet."
Asked about negligence in police patrolling, Singh said, "Police patrolling has always been tight in the area. We will depute more staff for patrolling. Just within a matter of one and half hours, the shops were looted."
As per the allegations, the youth, Kapunu Singh, forcibly entered a house in the village and behaved in an indecent manner.
Later, Singh was tied using a rope and was beaten up by the locals after members of the house informed the villagers of the incident.
The incident has triggered tension in the area.
Shop owners who are in a state of panic after the incident, alleged that lackadaisical attitude of the police administration has led to such lapses.
"Along with the ATM two to three shops were looted. We are under panic as we may face similar situation in future," said a local businessman Ratnakar Nanda.
"Police patrolling in the area is not conducted as earlier. It has been stopped since six months and despite repeated complaints to IIC and SP no steps are being taken,” said another businessman Kapil Samal.
The supervisor of the ATM management company said the amount of money looted can be known after an engineer who has to be brought from outside the state makes an assessment.
"The ATM has been ransacked. If the miscreants have been able to take any money or not will be clear after an assessment of the engineer," said supervisor of the ATM management company, Debasish Das.
Meanwhile, on-the-spot investigation is being carried out by police personnel from Ishwarpur outpost.
https://youtu.be/eBwh3-PFo0Q
The jumbos of various sizes entered Gopalpur village from Dalaki forest under Betonati forest range in Mayurbhanj. Meanwhile forest department officials rushed to the spot and swung into action to drive the pachyderms away from the human habitation.
Sources said the jumbo herd trampled harvested paddy crops in the village on their way. The herd is roaming around the area since last night. Heavy crowd was witnessed in the village to see the massive herd of elephants. The size of the herd is so massive, the villagers are getting scared to cooperate with forest officials to chase them, a local resident said.
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Measures are being taken to track the animals round the clock and keep them away from attacking locals, an official said.
https://youtu.be/XGsHEZ1KARw
Earlier, forest officials along with locals of Mankadia tribal community laid traps and adopted other techniques to capture the animal. However, all efforts went in vain. Later, a special team of monkey-catchers from Similipal reached at the spot to trap the monkey.
Later, the team managed to captivate the rogue monkey by shooting them with tranquilizer darts this morning. The monkey will be released into the Kuldiha Sanctuary soon, sources said.
https://youtu.be/6LRsBs-qm0Y
According to reports, the health condition of the girl continued to be poor since last two years. Family members of the girl said they tried to cure her by taking her to many doctors in the district but it yielded no results. Therefore, after losing faith in medicinal treatment, they hired a sorcerer to cure her.
Meanwhile, family members have denied responding to the matter.
Even when police was informed they did not take any action and declined to comment on the matter.
https://youtu.be/xDMfHrbarL8
As per reports, Barada Prasanna Barik and neighbour Manath Barik had previous enmity in connection with a land dispute.
Earlier today, Manath had hurled abuses on Barada while the latter was returning from his farm and also attacked him with an axe. Barada was admitted to Nilagiri hospital and his condition was stated to be critical.
Meanwhile, Manath has surrendered in Nilagiri police station, said sources.
https://youtu.be/duUd8LfnfMo
Members of the manch blocked roads by burning tyres near the Bypass Chhak and thereby vehicular movement was affected.
Among others, the manch demanded transfer of local Tehsildar and opening of closed mines.
On the other hand, former legislator Chittaranjan Sadangi and supporters sat on dharna today for three days in front of the Nilagiri Sub Collector’s office for fulfilment of the demands.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Pramod Kumar Meherda had asked the Collector to inspect as to why the Mahaprayan vehicle, meant to transport dead bodies from state-run hospitals free of cost, was not available at the hospital. He said stringent action will be taken against those found guilty.
It may be mentioned here that a six-year-old boy, Krishna, son of Tunaram Singh, had been rushed to Nilagiri hospital in Balasore district on Sunday morning after being bitten by a poisonous snake. But doctors declared him brought dead. Later, Tunaram had to carry the dead body of his son on a trolley since he was unable to get a vehicle under the Mahaprayan scheme.
The probe team will also visit Tunaram's house.
According to sources, six-year-old Krishna, the son of Tunaram Singh, had been rushed to the hospital today morning after being bitten by a poisonous snake where doctors declared him brought dead.
The Mahaprayan scheme, for taking a body from the hospital to the house of the deceased, proved a failure in case of Tunaram.
Talking to OTV, Tunaram said, "I took my son on a trolley to the hospital by paying Rs 500 and brought him back after post-mortem on the same trolley. There is only Janani Express and 108 ambulance in the hospital and doctors also did not heed to my request."
Nilagiri Sub-Collector Ghasiram Murmu said, "The doctors have also not informed us and we would have lent support to the person if he had informed us. After knowing about the incident we have arranged a grant of Rs 3000 for him under Harischandra Sahayata Yojana."
The Sub-Collector further added that Tunaram did not ask for any support and left with his child's body without informing anybody as his house was nearby.
Meanwhile, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Department Pramod Kumar Meherda has instructed the Balasore Collector to conduct a probe on the incident.
Meherda informed that stringent action will be taken against the guilty after receiving the probe report.
The deceased youth was identified as Pratap Singh. He had already breathed his last when villagers found him covered with blood beside a pond and brought him to his home.
Police, after getting information, reached the village and seized Pratap's body. Police also went to the explosion site and inquired locals about the incident. It has initiated an investigation on how the explosive material reached the spot despite the mines in the area being shut down since years.
The halted Bangiriposi-Bhubaneswar Express left towards its destination after the railway track repair was undertaken.
All the passengers of the express train are safe, said reports.
Some persons with ill intentions are suspected to have created the fissure in the railway track.
Balasore: Tension erupted in Santaragadia in Nilagiri area of Balasore district following the death of boy after being hit by a truck this morning.
Following the incident, irate locals stated a road blockade demanding compensation for the kin of the deceased. They also set the truck on fire and vandalised a nearby liquor shop.
“The administration should give assurance that all the illegal brick kilns and liquor shops should be evicted. Amongst others, our major demand is Rs 20 lakh compensation to the family of the victim,” said a protesting local.
“On account of the death of the boy in a road accident, the locals staged a road blockade. After intervention of the sub-collector, local Tehsildar, IIC and other administrative officials who agreed to the demands, the protests were called off peacefully,” said Nilagiri SDPO, Swapna Ranjan Mohapatra.
The ‘Tilak Utsav’ or engagement ceremony was held in a traditional way on December 9 at the Nilgiri royal palace in presence of the Kothi prince, Puri Gajapati, Dhenkanal princely state king, Kanika princely state king and other dignitaries.
Talking to newsmen, Nilgiri king Jayant Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan said, “As Janmejay Mardaraj Harichandan is my only child, the royal family decided to hold the marriage ceremony at Nilagiri.”
Notably, the Nilgiri princely state became a part of Balasore district in 1949 and is currently known as Nilagiri.
Talking to media persons, Bikash Kumar Sahu, a resident of Baunsabania village, said some people of the village noticed smoke and hot air billowing out of the earth on Nilagiri-Panchalingeswar road on the outskirts of the village last evening.
“Acting on their information, we went to the spot this morning. After digging out a portion of the earth, we found more smoke and hot air coming out from within the surface. We also found the inner soil very hot as we dug deeper. We suspect there might be some gaseous elements inside the ground,” he said.
Sahu said the villagers have informed the matter to the Sub Collector Ghariram Murmu, who rushed to the area for an on-the-spot investigation.
Asked about the incident, Murmu said he cannot say the exact reason. “I have asked the Fire Officer, Nilagiri to go to the spot and find out the reason as to why the smoke and hot air are coming out of the ground and take adequate precaution for the safety of the people of the locality,” he said.
When asked about the incident, the accused abused the parents of the girl and attacked her father with a hatchet leaving him seriously injured.
The incident sparked off tension as locals, including women, ransacked a few hotels in the area demanding the arrest of the accused. Irate locals also gheraoed the Ayodhya police outpost.
Later, Nilagiri police arrived at the spot and rescued the out-post in-charge and took the accused to the police station for questioning.
“The accused uncle-nephew duo started following by my niece while she was returning from school. They bumped their bike into her. When she fell down, they manhandled her. We demand suspension of the police outpost in-charge and action against the accused,” said the uncle of the victim.
“The girl is being regularly subjected to filthy comments. Girls are not even going to school out of fear. We want that hotel to be closed,” said an agitating woman from the nearby village.
According to sources, the child was abducted by two god men for human sacrifice.
On being informed about the incident, the police detained the two god men with the help of locals and are interrogating them.
The two detained god men have been identified as Kiran Giri of Haridwar in Uttarakhand and Nandu Giri of JP Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, the sources added.
The girl child has been sent to Khan Nagar Child Care Centre, said a police official.
In Nilagiri, census is being done across 5,904 hectares of reserve forests. In Nilagiri’s eight units, three foresters and eight forest guards have been assigned for the census.
In various places, pug impression pad (PIP) is being made for capturing pug marks of tigers for census.
Angul Circle RCCF Anup Kumar Nayak said, "The pug impression pad has been made at different places where tiger and other carnivores make movement. At different places, 219 cameras are also installed to trap to movement of the big cat."
In six ranges under Jeypore forest division of Koraput district where Maoist menace looms large.
The census will be carried out for six days for which 106 teams, each having three members, have been formed, said A K Kar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Jeypore.
"Though Maoist activities have increased in Boipariguda and Gupteswar forest ranges in recent times, it will not hamper our census work. In risky areas our men will take the help of local 'Vana Surakhya Samities'," Kar said, adding the participants are well-equipped to carry out the census.
The census would focus on deer, leopard, tiger, hyena and bear. Special focus would be on tiger and leopard, the DFO said.
"We have studied the movements of wild animals to carry out the census efficiently. They move from place to place depending on the availability of food and water. We have imparted several techniques to the officials to help them identify and count wild animals," he said.
As many as 148 water bodies have been identified across Jeypore, Boipariguda, Gupteswar, Kundura, Borigumma and Kotpad forest ranges and pressure impression pads have been laid in several places to spot the pugmarks.
While the first three days of census will focus on carnivores, the remaining three days would be devoted to the census of other animals.
More concerning, the district administration believes the hundred jumbos that strayed into the region from West Bengal will move further towards Nilagiri in Balasore district by Monday.
“Around 30 elephants that had strayed into the region last week have assembled with another herd of 70 elephants that has ventured from West Bengal at Rasagobindpur. As many as 50 elephants are straying near the border areas of Balasore district and are likely to enter Nilagiri by Monday,” informed Additional Tehsildar of Nilagiri, Rakesh Panda.
“I heard that around 100 elephants are moving towards our area. The crops are yet to ripen and cannot be cut. I have no idea what to do,” said a distressed farmer, Surendra Sahoo.
Another farmer Bharat Mohanty said, “The last time the jumbos came, they had destroyed crops in huge stretch of lands. I am afraid of the same consequence this time too. However, if the administration grants us compensation for the loss, it will be good for us.”
Meanwhile, the farmers in the villages under Rasagobindpur are spending sleepless nights and trying all means to prevent their crops from getting damaged by the jumbos. However, paddy crops on a large stretch of land have already been destroyed by the mammals, sources said.
Sources said the incident occurred at around 10:30 am when both Banashree and Jyotirekha were taking a bath in the pond after their tuition.
According to reports, Jyotirekha died while trying to save her friend Banashree from drowning.
Following the incident, both the girls were rushed to the hospital where they were declared brought dead by the doctors, sources said.
Tension erupted at the Congress party headquarters in Bhubaneswar when supporters of Amir Mohammed ransacked property at Congress Bhawan opposing the party's decision to field Rashmi Mohapatra from Ekamra-Bhubaneswar. They entered the party office and damaged computer and furniture.
Opposing the Congress decision to field Rashmi Mohapatra from Ekamra-Bhubaneswar Assembly seat, supporters of ticket aspirant Amir Mohammed ransack property at Congress Bhawan in #Bhubaneswar #Odisha pic.twitter.com/YUIoaGC7NS
— OTV (@otvnews) March 23, 2019
A scuffle was reported between the supporter groups of Manoja Manjari Debi, who was fielded by Congress from Nilagiri constituency, and ticket aspirant Chittaranjan Sarangi. During a meeting attended by Manoja Manjari, the disgruntled group created a ruckus and did not allow her to leave.
Sources said Manjari, a member of the Nilagiri royal family was allowed to leave the spot after she raised slogans in favour of Sarangi. Irate over such humiliation, Manjari stated that she will lodge a complaint in connection with the incident before the Congress leadership.
Manoja Manjari yesterday had stated that Chittaranjan was supporting her candidature in the upcoming general elections. But today's incident has brought the rift in Balasore unit of Congress to the fore.
Similarly, some Congress activists from Jharsuguda locked the district party office opposing the candidature of former bureaucrat Mahendra Nayak. Sources said the party activists threatened non-cooperation during the polls for fielding an outsider as Jharsuguda candidate neglecting the local leaders. The resentment in Congress become more conspicuous after former MLA Naba Das' exit.
In Rourkela, Congress activists opposed the candidature of Muktikanta Biswal. The Congress workers opposed Biswal's candidature at a meeting chaired by former president of district unit of Congress Biren Senapati.
In Sundergarh, the candidature of Amita Biswal has also been opposed. In Chitrakonda also, ticket aspirant Balaraju Kape has quit the party after denial of ticket. State Congress social media cell chief Abhisek Mahananda has also expressed displeasure over irregularities in ticket distribution.
Opposition chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati expressed displeasure over nomination of Saptagiri Ulaka as Congress candidate from Koraput Lok Sabha seat. The party activists wanted Prafulla Bhatra as candidate but he was denied a ticket following pressure from different quarters, alleged Bahinipati.
“The people of the district were expecting that Prafulla Bhatra would get a ticket. He is young and educated tribal leader and had been elected councillor thrice,” added Bahinipati.
Congress MLA Jacob Pradhan's fate hangs in balance as the party is yet to announce candidate for G. Udayagiri Assembly constituency.
However, Congress has nominated several new faces in the candidates list announced in two phases for 61 assembly constituencies. Mahanadi Banchao Andolan chief Sudarsan Das was fielded from Jaleswar, Subhashri Panda, wife of arrested Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda from Ranpur and Sangram Mohanty from Sorada.
Congress so far has nominated eight women candidates while the party has entered into an understanding with CPI(Marxist) for the Chhatrapur Assembly seat in first phase, Boudh and Brajrajnagar Assembly seats, Aska Lok Sabha seats in the second phase, sources said adding that CPI(M) will contest from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha and Bonai and Patnagarh Assembly seats.
Subsequently, three fire tenders were pressed into action who managed to douse the flames after four hours of operation. The Chief Fire Officer was also present at the spot to monitor the situation, reports added.
Fire personnel pressed into service at Big Bazaar in #Cuttack #Odisha pic.twitter.com/txcrxAhSuJ
— OTV (@otvnews) April 1, 2019
“The exact reason behind the fire mishap is yet to be ascertained, we think short circuit might have triggered the flames or someone might have dropped ashes of cigarette.The fire has been brought under control,” said a fire official.
The amount of property damaged in the fire can be estimated only after a detailed investigation.
On the other hand, 10 rooms were gutted in two separate fire mishaps in Balasore on late Sunday night. While eight rooms reduced to ashes at Tinidesha village under Narsinghpur panchayat, two rooms were gutted at Tenda village under Sajnagarh panchayat.
Property worth lakhs of ruppees have reportedly been damaged in the fire mishaps.
As per the allegations by the duped depositors, a ponzi firm had opened an office in Sajanagarh area and collected Rs 5,000 each from around 50 local women on promise of providing them low-interest loan worth Rs 2 lakh each a few months ago.
However, after failing to get loans even after seven months of making deposits, a group of the women went to the office today and found that the officials of the company had shut down the office.
Sumti Das, a duped depositor from Sergarhsaid that one Sushant Pradhan and his team assured to pay them loans of Rs 2 lakh and took Rs 5,000 from each depositor in October 2018.
“But every time we went to get our money, they gave us excuses for delaying our payment. When we came to the office today, we found it closed. Since, we have been duped, we seek government’s assistance so that we can get our deposits back,” she said.
Strong winds accompanied by rain last night reportedly snapped the transmission wire, following which it fell in the farm land. The villagers further alleged that the local electricity department staff did not undertake spot visit and charged the transmission line.
Due to carelessness of the electricity department the snapped electric wire was charged leading to the incident, said a villager.
Meanwhile, tension erupted in the locality as the district administration officials are yet to visit the spot.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, a trough line created in the interior parts of the State going straight through north Odisha is supposed to be causing this kind of weather in the State.
HR Biswas, Director of Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar said, “A trough line now extends till north interior Odisha and there is possibility of light rain in some parts of the State. Minimum temperature is likely to drop by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius from December 28 onwards.”
Under the impact of cloudy weather, while the minimum temperature readings witnessed a rise, the maximum temperature readings recorded a dip in most parts of the State.
However, chill breeze from north has made life more uncomfortable for people. Apart from that unseasonal rains have affected crop harvesting activities in several parts of the State.
Harvested paddy lying in the open mandis for procurement purposes have been the worst hit due to the unseasonal rains in several parts of Odisha including Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Balasore.
In Kalahandi district, quintals of paddy crops in open mandis have been damaged due to the rain at Kaudela mandi, Koksara and other parts of the district.
Reports from Laikera mandi in Jharsuguda district is not encouraging either as more than 3,000 packets of paddy in the open mandi was seen to be soaking in rain. The Secretary of the Co-Operative Society alleged that the millers aren’t sending trucks to move the paddy due to a dispute between farmers and millers over the paddy prices.
Similarly, continuous rain in many parts of north Odisha including Balasore district forced farmers to bundle up their crop lying in the field and ferry it to a safe place.
A thick cover of cloud in the coastal districts for the last 24 hours has forced the farmers to scamper and save their crops.
Narrating the misery a farmer in Nilagiri said, “We had sowed late, so the timing of this drizzle couldn’t be more frustrating. We are now moving our rain soaked crop to safe place and hope that we don't suffer any losses.”
Meanwhile, the duty officer at Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has forecasted rain in some of the districts of Southern Odisha for tomorrow.
The victim Manoj Behera had reportedly gone to Kalijhati area to invite some guests to his marriage scheduled on January 19. While he was returning, three persons stopped him near Tinikoshia forests and threatened him to cancel the wedding.
Even after a heated argument when Behera refused to agree with them, the miscreants thrashed him and later attacked him with a blade. They then fled the scene leaving him bleeding at the spot.
The youth was later rescued in a critical condition and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Even as prima facie it seems the attack was an outcome of a triangular love affair, Nilagiri police has registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. A manhunt has also been launched to nab the accused, sources said.
The deceased has been identified as a resident of Naranpur village under Berhampur Police limits.
As per the report, the contractual worker fell down from the top of the pole after getting a shock following instant electric supply in the wire.
He was immediately rushed to Nilagiri hospital where doctor declared him dead on arrival, sources added.
(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)
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Bali Nayak sport is a modern Tag alike game which is played on a ground involving two or more players' chasing other players in an attempt to "tag" and mark them out of play, usually by touching with a hand. Likewise, in Bali Nayak game one Nayak is selected by the ceremonial king of Nilagiri. The Nayak with a garland chases participants in the royal palace premise.
King Ramachandra Mardaraj in 18th century initiated the unique game of fun. During his reign, the losers of the sport used to give animal sacrifice for goddess Durga, but now Ash gourds are given as a symbolic sacrifice to the goddess.
Times has changed the methods of the sport, but not it's nature. Since then It has been going on as a cultural event and has become Nilagiri's tradition. Thousands of spectators thong Nilagiri royal palace to witness the convention. However, the fun game is a low key affair due to Covid pandemic this year. After govt restriction on public gathering, a symbolic game is being organised this year inside the royal palace to maintain the 300 years old tradition.
Bijay Laxmi Mohanty, a local teen has been witnessing the sport since her childhood. Mohanty said, "We visit here every year to watch the sport. This year palace has become deserted due to COVID19. Police forces have been deployed here."
Sridhar Mallik, the protagonist of the sport has been donning the 'Nayak' character since decades. "We are organising this sport this year in a limited manner adhering Covid norms" Mallik stated.
Jayanta Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan, the present ceremonial king of Nilagiri said, "I am felling heart-broken as our hundred years heritage is not taking place accordingly this year. Like Rath Yatra, we celebrate this sport here. However, due to Covid restrictions, neither we could hold Rath Yatra, nor Durga Puja."
https://youtu.be/xwPP-xGtWaM
(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan)
Also Read | Pandemic Dims Navratri ‘Dandiya Raas Nights’ In Bhubaneswar
According to sources, the pachyderms from Dalma forest in Jharkhand entered Nilagiri forest range last week, then ventured into the Gopalpur forest range and destroyed paddy fields and vegetable farming in the periphery of the forest.
The panic-struck villagers are spending sleepless nights to keep themselves and their farmlands safe from the marauding elephants.
“A herd of around 45 elephants damaged our crops last night and went back to the forests in the wee hours. The mammals are staying put in the forest in the morning and entering villages only during evening. The forest officials are yet to reach the spot,” said Guru Prasad Singh, a farmer.
However, forest officials said they are alert and fully prepared to help the people deal with the jumbo menace.
“Forest guards and members of Sabhuja Bahini are keeping a close watch on the movement of the elephants and all measures are being taken to prevent them from entering human habitations,” said a forest official.
Few days back a herd of wild elephants had left the people of Athagarh area in a state of panic and adversely affected the road communication due to frequent obstruction of National Highways and Railway tracks. Gurudijhatia Matsyapur Railway track and National Highway near Bali were brought to a jumbo halt as a herd of pachyderms was found crossing the path dangerously.
Similarly, a herd of marauding elephants had caused enormous damage to property as well as crops at Chanchabani village under Karanjia forest range of Mayurbhanj district a few days ago.
(Edited by Devbrat Patnaik)