Two arrested for circulating blue CD of minor

Rourkela: Sundergarh police arrested two youths Mohamed Arman (18) and Mohamed Zaheer Ansari (26) alias Babal on Tuesday for allegedly recording and circulating blue CDs of a minor girl at Rajgangpur in Sundargarh district. The two accused were arrested from Tatanagar of Jamshedpur and brought to Rajgangpur for interrogation, police said.

The father of the school going girl had lodged a complaint alleging the distribution of obscene CDs of her minor daughter by some youths in the market. 

By showing a false promise of marriage, the main accused Arman lured the school going girl and had a physical relationship with her and the accused Ansari had taken the photographs of their close moments to blackmail the girl and her family.

‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony held

BHUBANESWAR: With the fan fare and march of brass band and pipe band, ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony was started at the Parade Ground of OSAP 7th battalion here on Tuesday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was attended as the chief guest of the function.

The hoisted flag on the Republic Day was retreated at sunset of Tuesday evening according to the tradition. The ceremony started with fan fare and ended with marvelous fireworks and massal tattoo display at the parade ground. Following the up and down march of brass band and pipe band with the tune of different rhythmic tunes, tattoo display and cultural show was conducted. Ghumura Nrutya, Judo and Karate, Patriotic display, Mass PT and Massal tattoo was displayed by 3rd, 7th, 8th, 2nd and 6th battalion of OSAP respectively.

Among others, Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj, Home Secretary of the State Upendra Nath Behera, Police Commissioner Vijay Kumar Sharma and other senior police officials were present. Hundreds of people have enjoyed the fanfare, march, drum beating and cultural show displayed in the ceremony.

Sandy’s Tower hotel opens service in city

BHUBANESWAR: The Sandy’s Tower hotel kick started its service here at the Xavier square of Jaydev Vihar in the city on Sunday. Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra inaugurated the hotel with the presence of guests and invitees of the city.

According to the hotel officials, the hotel is six storied building with centrally air-conditioned having 73 rooms and two big lawns, which can cater at a time around 5000 people. The both way roads parking is another added plus point to the hotel, they added.

 “This is a separate category hotel having all facilities in a compact place and we hope, after opening this hotel, a new era will start in the field of hospitality and tourism in the city,” said Managing director of the hotel Sanjeev Kumar Patra.

Sarvodaya leaders seek Gananath Patra’s unconditional release

BHUBANESWAR: Demanding unconditional release of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha advisor Gananath Patra and withdrawal of ‘false and fabricated cases’ instituted against him by the police,  Utkal Khadi Mandal (UKM) president Baishnav Das and chief of Baji Rout Chhatrabas and Sarvodaya leader Krishna Mohanty on Sunday said they would organise all mass organisations under one bannewr and resort to State-wide agitation to exert pressure on the Government for his release if the Government did not meet their demend at the first instance.

Speaking to the media at the Lohia Academy here, Das described Patra as a man believing in non-violent methods of action and termed the police depicting him as a Maoist “most unfortunate”.

“Patra was a brilliant student and a good professor. Though he subscribed to Leftist ideology, he was a staunch believer in non-violence. He was working in democratic ways for the poor adivasi farmers whose lands were usurped by big farmers. If a man like him would be put behind the bars for selflessly serving the poor, we can firmly say the future of the poor in this country is bleak, he grieved, adding that the big farmers, the police and the local administration were partners in a joint conspiracy to nail him, falsely dubbing him a Maoist which he is not.

Das said they would very soon approach the Governor and the Chief Minister in writing, demanding Patra’s unconditional release and withdrawal of all cases against him. The next step would be be moving the State Human Rights Commission.

Patra who is currently lodged in the Koraput jail, is physically completely unwell and fighting with death and it would be inhuman not to release him honourably,

Das said.

Krishna Mohanty was all praise for Patra as a true patriot and said if fighting for the rights for the poor in democratic manners invites the wrath of the administration and the law enforcing agencies, it would be the most horrible thing in the biggest democracy of the world, where the Constitution backs the poor. The senior sarvodaya leader said Patra did not accept the conditional bail granted by the High Court as it was not honourable for him. She also demanded his immediate release and withdrawal of all cases which are totally fabricated.

Present among others at the media conference included former Information Commissioner Pro Radhamohan, Lok Shakti Abhiyan convener Prafulla Samantra, sarvodaya activists Sobhakar Swain and Prashant Mishra.

2 arrested for cheating

BHUBANESWAR: Khandagiri police arrested two employers for cheating their employees here on Saturday. They were identified as Managing Director Gyanranjan Das and Managing board member Rajat Champati of Regional Centre for Health Research and Education, a voluntary organisation working on AIDS awareness.

According to the Inspector-In-Charge of Khandagiri police station Tapan Kumar Mohanty, the employers of the said organisation had taken security deposit, three-time of the employees’ salary, from their employees while giving employment. But after three months, the MD and managing board members fled away with money.

“We arrested the duo from Khurda-Begunia road and the investigation is going on the fraud case. They have taken that security deposit money from three thousand employees and the fraud is estimated as around 10 crore,” informed IIC Mohanty.  

Clerk, Night watchman caught red handed in Aska

BRAHMAPUR: Vigilance has registered case against junior clerk K Dileswar Rao and night watchman Basanta Kumar Gouda of Sub-Registrar office at Aska for demand of illegal gratification Rs 600 from complainant Yunus Sarif of College Square at Katinada under Aska block of Ganjam district for issue of encumbrance certificate.

According to the Vigilance officials of Berhampur Division, Night Watchman of the said office Basanta received the bribe amount Rs 600 from the complainant Yunus as per the direction of clerk Rao. They were caught in vigilance net on Wednesday. Vigilance police arrested them and forwarded to court.

1 dies, 4 women injured in clash in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: One person was killed and four women were injured in a scuffle between two rival groups at Kantiagada village under Rambha police station of Ganjam district on Tuesday night. The rival groups have used crude bombs, firearms and sharp weapons during the clash in the village, police said.

The dead person was identified as Pintu Swain (25) of the same village. Police have sent the body of the deceased for postmortem. All injured women were rushed to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. Due to bombarding on the house the women were injured, a villager said.

The police said that the reason of the scuffle was previous enmity between two groups.  Regarding an old dispute, the groups came to face to face, the police informed.

When we contacted to the Chatrapur Sub Divisional Police Officer Santanu Padhy, he informed that they have recovered four crude bombs, glass bottles, iron rods, swords and other firearms from the village. The police have detained two people suspecting involvement in the matter. Investigations are going on after the inquiry into the matter the truth will come out, he added.

“Two platoons of police force have been deployed in the village and to keep eye on the incident senior police officers also visited the spot. Ganjam Collector Dr Krishan Kumar has taken a stock of the situation. The situation is under control,” said SDPO Padhy to The Pioneer.

On the otherhand, BJP supporters led by former Deputy Speaker Ram Chandra Panda staged dharna in front of the SP office at Chatrapur on Wednesday demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and security for villagers.

Poultry farmers urge Govt to help them

--diagnose the fowls instead of culling

BHUBANESWAR: After the bird flu terror and break out of H5N1 virus among the fowls and crows in the State, peoples in some places of the State have left consuming chicken and egg fearing the flu disease which affected the poultry industry business of Rs 1,000 crore in the State, said the members of the Odisha Poultry Farmers Association (OPFA) here at a meeting on Wednesday.

The members also opined that the Government has taken various initiatives to control the bird flu in the State and also culled thousands of fowls at Kerang and Bahanada during the break out, but neither the Government nor the experts stressed on immunisation of the birds or diagnosing the affected fowls instead of just culling.

After the media reports and Government preparedness people got scared to consume chicken and egg, which affected the poultry industry upon which 30,000 farmers depend directly and 10 lakh people and families depend indirectly. Just culling the fowls is not a solution, Government should think about the farmers and the sensitive poultry industry as the huge loss is affecting the farmers’ families directly. Some farmers have taken bank loan from different banks, which is a major stress for the farmers to pay the loan. Farmers’ suicide has not been ruled out, the members added.

The association informed that no human death due to bird flu yet been reported from the country and no one is affected also and consuming of chicken and egg by our traditional method of cooking the meat at 70 degree centigrade heat is safe.

The OPFA demanded that the Government should take appropriate steps to immunise the birds and for the adequate care, it should initiate modernised farming technique and health facilities for the poultry farms like Andhra Pradesh. It is our fate that we have not a testing laboratory, for which we have to send the samples to Bhopal. On the other hand, the association appealed to the Government, Media and people of the State to help them out.  

  

Black Pulsar terror in city again

BHUBANESWAR: After a few days of silence, the black Pulsar gang has struck again in the capital city. In a broad-day light, the bike-borne robbers looted Rs 12 lakh from the employees of the Swapna Motors, an automobile showroom at Mancheswar in the city.

The gang looted the accountant and the employees of Swapna Motors while they were going to deposit the cash and drafts in a bank near Bapuji Nagar by a car. When they were on the way, the miscreants followed the car and broke the car glass from the front side at Satsangbihar in the city.

According to the Sahid Nagar police officials, the miscreants have looted around Rs 12 lakh in cash, which was sent for deposit in the bank. They have started inquiry from the employees who were going to deposit the money.

When we contacted Additional Commissioner of Police BC Mishra, he informed that they have started their investigation into the matter and their technical team is looking into the case.

Russian’s entry in Lingaraj temple creates uproar

BHUBANESWAR: After a hue and cry over foreigner’s entry into Shrimandir at Puri last year, the entry of a Russian visitor into Lingaraj temple here on Tuesday created uproar among the temple priests and locals.

According to the Lingaraj Temple Administration officials, the Russian was clad on a white dhoti and looks like an Indian Baishnav entered in the temple by covering his face with the help of his cloth as veil. No one recognised him while he entered to the temple, they added.

But at the ‘Bhitarkatha’ of the temple, he was stopped by some priests. After inquiry about his identity, he said, “I’m a Hindu devotee Sundar Gopal Das”. He has not produced his passport before the temple administration. After the incident, he deposited fine and then got released from the temple officilas.

On the other hand, the temple priests washed the premises by lime water and later they conducted the Mahasnan ritual following the incident.   

    

3 arrested kidnappers sent to jail

BHUBANESWAR: After arresting three kidnappers for rape attempt to an MBA student inside a moving vehicle, the police sent them to jail on Tuesday. While, the Commissionerate police gave details about the incident and the kidnappers, among them two were engineers. The police have booked the trio under several sections of the IPC and CrPC and charges included kidnapping and attempt to rape.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Nitinjeet Singh, the main accused Sagar Biswal and his friend Pavitra Behera were engineers by profession and the third accused Sunil was the driver of the vehicle. They attempted to rape the girl in broad-day light, informed DCP Singh.

DCP Singh also said that the main accused Sagar had engineered the plot of a fake interview in the office of a company located in Fortune Tower in the State capital. According to the police, Sagar was working in the company of the girl’s brother at Cuttack and he knows her in that way. The girl was abducted from a place near Fortune Tower on Monday.

Such instances however have been taking place in Bhubaneswar at regular intervals. Last year a girl was allegedly kidnapped from Master Canteen locality and raped. Recently another girl was allegedly kidnapped from Salia Sahi and raped.

Samajwadi Party urges National Human Rights Commission to visit Lathore in Balangir

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha State committee of Samajwadi Party has requested the Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to visit the Lathore village of Khaprakhol Block in Bolangir District, where 50 houses of scheduled castes were burnt down by upper caste people on Sunday.

The party president of Odisha State committee Rabi Behera said that around 500 upper caste people went in a group and burnt down the houses of the dalits and all their house-hold articles and 7 motor cycles. The dalit people have fled from the village fearing threat to their lives and their women and children have not been spared also. They have nothing to eat and have taken shelter here and there under severe cold, he added.

“We urge upon the Commission to visit the said village and to direct the respective authorities to save the life and property of the scheduled caste people as guaranteed in the Article-21 of our constitution,” said Behera.

The party also demanded to register cases against the culprit under the SC/ ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, to direct the State authority to provide relief for one month to the victims and Indira Awas house, Old age home and widow pension to the deserving individuals, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each family and immediate arrest of the culprits and stringent action against the local police and district authorities on negligence of duty.

Passenger’s ire turns violent at Retang station

BHUBANESWAR: Protesting delay of trains by the Retang station officials in the name of giving lines to Super-fast expresses and other express trains, passengers agitated against the officials of Retang railway station here on Monday. The agitated passengers have torched some chairs and logs and ransacked some furniture in the office of the railway station. For which train services were disrupted for few hours.

According to a passenger Tanmay of nearby Khurda area, everyday the passenger trains halt here at Retang for long time. When they asked railway station officials regarding the train delay problem, some officials misbehaved them and also they were beaten up by the officials, the passenger added. Later, all passengers got united and started their violent works in the premises of the railway station, he added.

After intervention of the Railway Protection Force, Khurda Police and Commissionerate Police, the raged passengers left their agitation. While, the station officials denied to give any comment on this incident.

White tiger Jagat dies in Nandankanan

BARANGA: Cancer affected white tiger Jagat died at the age of 13 year and 4 month old on Monday morning at Nandankanan Zoo. He was living in 32 number enclosure of the Zoo.

According to the Zoo officials, Jagat was feeling ill after a tumor developed in his throat. They had started his treatment, but later the doctors and health committee denied for surgery as it was not possible at that time. When the doctors knew that the tiger had cancer, they started giving life saving injections and medicines, according to the health committee.

It may be noted that five tigers and one lion had already died recently. Only six male and three female white tigers left in the Zoo out of total 25 tigers.

BJD blames FCI for distress sale of paddy

BHUBANESWAR: President of Biju Krushak Janata Dal Golak Bihari Nayak has blamed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for distress sale of Kharif paddy in different districts of the State. The farmers are being forced to sale the paddy at a price lower than the minimum support price (MSP) due to non-cooperation of the FCI and the Food Ministry due to the faulty procurement policy of the Central Government, said Nayak here on Sunday in a Press release.

Nayak alleged that the FCI is not procuring the surplus paddy in the State as it is doing in the other states like Punjab, Hariyana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Shortage of space is another reason for which FCI does not purchase more paddies from Odisha State. Since FCI is the major procurer of food grain in the country, it should construct more number of godowns in the State for storing the food grains, he added.

However, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik has announced to procure 28 lakh MT paddy from the farmers of the State giving them MSP in order to stop the distress sale of paddy. The general paddy is being purchased at Rs 1080 per quintal and Grade-A paddy at Rs 1100 per quintal. The agencies like Odisha State Civil Supply Corporation, Mark Fed, Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies, Pani Panchayat and Women Self-help Groups are purchasing the paddy. The purchase agencies are bearing the cost of paddy transportation. During collection period if any body will do black marketing will be severely punished, said Nayak.'

English tabloid Student’s Empire launched

BRAHMAPUR: Taking the aspiration of fulfilling the communication objectives for students, Student’s Empire, the first monthly English tabloid newspaper from Brahmapur was launched here on Sunday. The published monthly tabloid contained successful stories of students, developmental issues and also related stories on youth and technology.

Giving a description over the importance of student’s news media in the present day context, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Berhampur University Dr Pradeep Mahapatra said that these kinds of newspapers and magazines will not only increase the student’s participation in a democracy with promoting plurality among the students but it also a medium that projects the strategic activities of the students.

Limiting the target audience for a particular age group with a thought full business strategy and publishing stories that give insight to the students, newspapers and magazines made for a special audience can work well in a democracy, added Dr Mahapatra.

In the launching ceremony, Head of the Department of Women’s Study Center of Berhampur University Ratna Sahu said the magazine will inspire the student mass to participate in the development process of the nation. The publisher and editor of the tabloid N Lenachand read the editorial content, whereas students from various colleges were present in the meeting.           

Mines Environment and Mineral Conservation Week observed

‘Minerals should be optimally used’

BHUBANESWAR: The concluding day function of the 14th Mines Environment and Mineral Conservation (MEMC) Week organised by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) Bhubaneswar region and host by KJS Ahluwalia Group on Sunday here to create awareness among the people about the safety of environment and conservation of minerals for the future.

Attending as the Chief Guest of the function, Controller of Mines for Central Zone of IBM Ranjan Sahai said that the sustenance of Odisha mining amidst all odds is really appreciable. Apart from the mining activities, the companies should give importance to the environment around the mines area, mineral safety and CSR activities for inclusive growth. He stressed on exploration of mining which is less in the country and also said that our minerals should be optimally used.

On this occasion, the organising committee awarded some successful miners, mining officials and organisations who have done extraordinary works for the safety of the environment and conservation of minerals in the State. A documentary film ‘14th Endeavour’ made by IBM was screened in the occasion.

Among others, Director of KJS Ahluwalia Group Prashant Ahluwalia, General Manager (Mines) AK Bhuyan, Sr Mining Geologist of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) Dr MK Somani and the Convener of the function and Regional Controller of Mines of IBM TK Rath, Executive and officers from Forest and Environment, Directorate of Mines, State Pollution Control board and representatives of various mines and mineral industries were present.    

Mobile blues during entrance exam

BHUBANESWAR: Taking mobile phone into the examination hall cost dear for 16 appearing medical students for PG entrance in Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) on Sunday, where the authority disqualified 18 students alleging violation of code and conducts of the examination, informed Director of Medical Education and Training Dr Prasanna Kumar Das.

Sixteen hundred students have appeared the medical entrance examination. On the day of examination, the invigilator recovered mobile from 16 students which was prohibited by the authority according to the guidelines of the examination. Along with the 16 violators other two students were also caught by the authorities for talking in the examination hall. The examination paper of all the 18 students got rejected by the authorities.

“After recovering mobiles from the students, we seized their answer papers and then we rejected their candidature for rest of the examination papers of this year. This year they could not sit in the entrance examination as they indulged themselves in malpractice. For the next year we have not decided yet about their appearance for PG entrance again,” said Dr Das.

Dr Das also said that getting a seat through unfair means is not a healthy trend; our students should get into the fields with talent and creativity.      

Nalco denies raid on CMD’s residence

BHUBANESWAR: In a Press release on Saturday, NALCO denied the rumour amidst local media circle regarding CBI / CVC raids on Nalco CMD BL Bagra’s residence. The company has received enquiries on the veracity of the rumour. The company also clarified that there is no truth in the story, which seems to be a figment of imagination of some vested groups. As such CVC never raids the residence of any official and no one from CBI or from CVC has either met CMD or gone to his residence, informed the company.

‘All ports should come under the ambit of security’

BHUBANESWAR: “We are planning to expand security not only in the major ports but also in the non-major ports in the country. Now major ports are already under the CISF security, but the non-major ports which are constructed in recent past, they still not adopted that model. So it is our endeavour to have a uniform security resume all over the country and we are going to recommend the CISF security as mandatory for all the ports of the country,” said Chairman of National Shipping Board Capt PVK Mohan at a Press meet on the occasion of 118th meeting of National Shipping Board here on Saturday.

Capt Mohan also said that they want to start Indian Maritime Services like other Indian administrative services such as IAS, IPS and IFS, which will have a dedicated team of people to serve the shipping industry.

On a question regarding violation of norms by some port authorities for not submitting data about illegal export of ores through respective ports, he said that some ports are not giving data, but we have cross-check mechanism through customs to get the right data.

He also informed that their board is planning to construct industry-based ports. Apart from that he stressed on pollution control measures in the ports, waiver of service tax from the ship bearers which will attract more and more people towards maritime services.

Informing media persons Director General of Shipping Dr SB Agnihotri said that security is very important in the ports after the Mumbai terror incident following the infiltration through sea-link. He also emphasised on the security by informing about the recent hijacking of a ship by Somali pirates, where 38 people have been released and 22 are still in the custody of the pirates.

Among others, Nautical Adviser to the Government of India Capt MM Saggi, Chief Surveyor with the Government of India-cum-Additional DG (Engineering) A Banerjee and Chairman of Paradip Port Trust GJ Rao were present.

City police arrest 2 in cheating case

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police on Friday arrested the master-minds of the cheating-cum-loot incident Mahesh Kumar Sharma and Babuli Behera here for cheating a private company.

Police have recovered Rs 10, 63,000 from the culprits. They have cheated the money from a private company on last Wednesday. While they were taking the money to deposit in the UCO bank at Suryanagar in the city, the money was looted and the duo was the masterminds of the incident.

On the day of the incident, the duo went to the UCO bank by a car to deposit the amount. After few hours, they informed that the money was looted by some robbers on the way. They had also said that four looters were involved in the looting of the cash. The Police had also started investigation into this matter. Later, the Commissionerate Police found out the real masterminds of the cash loot.

The duo had planned it before a month and according to their plan they got little success, but police traced out the truth. Their cunningness became boomerang for them. According to the Commissioner of police, it was not a robbery, but a pre-planned cheating.  

Coal-loaded train catches fire, no casualties

BHUBANESWAR: After a recent blaze in a coach of Rajdhani Express here earlier and a passenger boarded Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express on January 13, again a fire accident occurred in the city railway station here on Friday. This time, fire broke out in the coal-laden goods train, where three wagons were affected. No casualty was reported in the incident.

Around 6.30 am, the goods train caught fire before the railway station at Kalpana Chhack over bridge. The fire station officials reached immediately and tried to capture the fire but it took one hour to stop fire broke out due to high-voltage electricity connection. Though the railway officials could not ascertain the exact cause of the fire, yet the officials suspected that electricity shot circuit might be the reason of fire broke out.  

     

College student arrested in connection with Mao connection

PHULBANI: Kalahandi district is now dominated by Maoist. To protect the activities of Maoist combing operation is going on in the different blocks of Kandhamal. And on result police recovered six landmines within a month. Today police arrested a +3 student of Kotagada College who is a strong supporter of and motivator for Maoist. Andheru Badseth arrested by Kotagada police in connection with Mao activities. He is inhabitant of Srirampur colony. Police said Andheru Badseth also connected with some murder case.  

UU Students’ Union holds Inter-college competitions

BHUBANESWAR: Inter-college competitions started from Saturday here at Utkal University organised by its Students’ Union.  The function will end on January 26, informed president of the Students’ Union Tanmaya Swain.

The week-long competition, Talent Ecstasy-2012, has been inaugurated on Saturday. The competitions are opened for students of +2 and above classes in 16 different categories like Debate, Creative Writing, Dance, Song, Quiz and Group discussion. Winners of the competitions will be awarded with cash prize along with certificate and Trophy.

Two arrested in Salia Sahi kidnap case

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police arrested two accused Arun Nayak and Manasi Patra on Friday in connection with the Salia Sahi rape and kidnapping case.

The police nabbed accused Arun, an Auto-rickshaw driver, from Odagaon of Nayagada district. The police investigation is on and main accused yet to be arrested. The arrested persons were being interrogated by the police in the police station.

It may be noted that on November 19, 2011 an unfortunate incident took place at Salia Sahi under Nayapali police station in the city. One young girl named Annapurana Biswal aged 19 was kidnapped from her residence by some anti-socials.

On November20, 2011, one missing case was lodged with Mahila Police Station here by her brother, Sashikanta Biswal. After a couple of days when Annapurna was traced out independent of police help, it was revealed from her statement that she was exposed to sexual assault. Later, some women organisations gheraoed Mahila police station alleging police inaction into the matter.

Vigilance raid in IDCO DGM’s house

BHUBANESWAR: Again a senior rank officer came into vigilance net. A team of vigilance officers conducted a raid here on Friday in the house of IDCO Deputy General Manager (finance) Basudev Paikray, who had started his career as an accountant in 1981, faced an allegation for disproportionate property.

Vigilance sleuths simultaneously raided in Paikaray’s four-storey building at Niladribihar, another building at Mancheswar, IDCO Office and his parental house at Agarpada in Bhadrak. Apart from that he has two plots and two bank lockers in the city. According to the vigilance officials, the property was estimated worth more than two crore. At the same time four-member team has raided in his Agarpada residence.

    

CP issues public notice for traffic control

BHUBANESWAR: On the eve of the State-level Republic Day Parade which will be organised on January 26 at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in the city, the Commissionerate Police issued a public notice on Friday in the interest of public safety, traffic and convenience.

In order to regulate traffic, there is need to impose restrictions on traffic movement around MG Marg in the city where the Republic Day Parade will be held. Huge congregation is expected which may cause serious traffic congestion around the Marg. The rehearsal parade shall also be held on January 22 and 23 from 2 pm to 5.30 pm and on January 24 from 7 am to 10.30 am at the same place.  

According to the notice, no heavy vehicle shall be allowed to come towards Master Canteen Square either from Ram Mandir crossing or from Rajmahal crossing from 6.30 am onwards till the parade is over on January 26. The aforesaid restrictions on traffic movement shall also be imposed during Rehearsal Parade. All the lanes touching MG Marg shall be sealed and only the movement of pedestrians shall be allowed. Selling of gas balloons is strictly prohibited in between PMG square and Master Canteen area. And other restrictions of vehicular movement and parking place during parade hours have been issued by the police.

Roadside vendors to demand for State policy

BHUBANESWAR: The All Odisha Roadside Vendors’ Association (AORVA) is going to observe National Vendors’ Day on Saturday in every Municipality, Municipal Corporation and NAC areas across the State. In order to remember the day of introduction of National Vendors’ policy in the Parliament, around four crores of Roadside Vendors observe January 20 as their National Vendors’ Day in India.

President of AORVA Pratap Sahu said the policy has come in effect in 10 States to support the vendors, whereas Odisha Government has made only Draft Policy and Task Force. In a Press release he said the Government should provide land through vending zone for two lakh vendors. Besides, they should be given Identity card, trade license, ground rent, sanitation, medical and life insurance, Indira Awas and JNNURM facilities for the vendors, the Association added.           

US envoy visits USAID Project in State

BHUBANESWAR: US Chargé d’Affaires A Peter Burleigh visited a project supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Health of the Urban Poor Program (HUP) in the Hare Krushna Nagar here on Friday.

 “I am pleased to be able to observe this impressive program. Its success is a testament to your hard work and commitment, which is making a positive difference in people’s lives,” said Ambassador Burleigh while visiting the health projects.

He lauded the USAID’s HUP programme which is working to improve health, water, and sanitation services for poor urban communities in India by organizing women’s health groups and strengthening the ability of public health workers and community volunteers to serve their communities.

On the other hand, the ambassador along with US consulate general from Hyderabad Katherine Dhanani met benefited families from the support extended by Save the Children and its partner NGO Open Learning Systems (OLS) at the flood affected Bhagabatipur. He also met families of Kailash Behera, Chanda Bewa and Tukuna Bhoi severely affected by flood and supported by USAID.

The USAID HUP program works with eight Indian States including Odisha on State urban health programs and has demonstration sites in five cities in Pune, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi.

Women’s Congress gheraos police station

BHUBANESWAR: Protesting police inaction in the case of alleged rape and kidnapping of Kendrapada girl, Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress (OPMC) gheraoed Mahila police station in the city here on Wednesday. Later the women leaders handed over a morandum to the Chief Secretary of Odisha demanding justice to the victim and immediate intervention into the matter.

Hundreds of supporters of Women’s Congress gheraoed the Mahila Police Station and demanded immediate arrest of all the accused in the case of kidnap and rape along with suspension of the IIC of Mahila police station for her unpardonable failure to protect the victim. On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner of Police Niteenjeet Singh have given assurance to take proper action against the culprits.

The leaders said that after the intervention of the Media, Mahila police station was forced to register the FIR, which was very unfortunate. The entire episode epitomises insensitivity and insincerity of the Mahila police authorities towards barbarities against women, they added.

“Officers of Mahila Police Station were totally failed to perform their duty. So, suspend the IIC of the police station and arrest the accused immediately,” said president of OPMC Bijaylaxmi Sahu demanding stringent action against the accused.

It may be noted that on November 19, 2011 a missing case was registered in the police station after the woman went missing from her rented house in Salia Sahi. The woman on her return had informed the police about the entire incident.

According to reports, some youths of Salia Sahi had forcefully taken her away in a vehicle. Later she was raped by one Satyabadi who too promised to marry her. The woman complained that Satyabadi subjected her to regular sexual harrassment. Like the Pipli gang rape incident, the Salia Sahi incident too has created flutter in the state.

Baby dolphin population rises in Chilika

BHUBANESWAR: This year according to latest dolphin census report of Chilika Development Authority, the number of baby dolphin has been increased this year. Though overall population of dolphin decreased in the lagoon to 145 against last year’s 156, but increasing of babies from 4 to 11 is good news.

This year Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaellabrevirostris) population of Chilika estimated to be 145 out of which there are 118 adult, 16 sub-adult and 11-calves. The causality of the dolphin was also reported to be 1 last year. Eighteen teams consisted of some volunteer organisations and experts from various institutions were engaged in the survey with Chilika Wild Life Division on Tuesday.

The total number of survey transect were 18 numbers as the experts used Line Transect Method for the survey of the dolphins. Ninety participants and 40 local volunteers were deployed in 18 boats from different organisations in the census operation. While the operation was going on, the motor boat association also stopped plying of boats on the day of survey.

ABVP demands Chidambaram’s arrest

BHUBANESWAR: Demanding Home Minister P Chidambaram’s arrest for his involvement in 2G scam, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged demonstration at Mastercanteen Square here on Wednesday supporting its nationwide demonstration against the central minister.

The demonstrators have burnt effigy of P Chidambaram and came out in a procession from Matercanteen to Lower PMG by flaunting placards bearing different slogans against the minister.

ABVP leaders alleged that because of then Finance Minister P Chidambaram, 2G scam occurred, which incurred loss of 1.72 lakh crore to the country. Hence considering his involvement of P Chidambaram in the 2G scam, they demanded that the President of India should remove him from his post and made him co-accused, they added.

Joint secretary of State ABVP Sitakanta Rout said the student movement will continue till the minister is arrested. On the coming days ABVP will intensify its agitation against the minister and lakhs of ABVP activists will participate in the agitation already run by Youth Against Corruption, he added.

Odia girl Prasannata to get National Bravery Award

BHUBANESWAR: Odia girl Prasannata Sandilya, a sixth class student of OP Jindal School, from Nisha village under Chendipada police station in Angul district to get National Bravery Award this year. Prashannata gets the award for foiling a dacoity bid happened in her house on April 12 last year.

This year 24 children will get the prestigious award. They will be awarded at a function in New Delhi on Republic Day this year by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

National Bravery Award for Indian children is given every year by Government of India and Indian Council for Child Welfare to Indian children for meritorious act of bravery against all odds.

Children will get a medal, certificate and cash under the scheme and the awardees will be granted financial assistance for their schooling.

Student Congress demands Maharathy’s resignation

BHUBANESWAR: Demanding resignation of Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathi and CBI probe into the Pipili gang-rape case, student workers of the Odisha Pradesh Students’ Congress (OPSC) organised a meeting following a rally from the Congress Bhavan at Lower PMG here on Tuesday.

Presiding over the meeting, OPSC president Chinmoy Kumar Sahoo alleged the BJD workers’ involvement in heinous gang-rape cases in the State like Pipili incident, where the State Government is crying for the development of the Dalit Society.

He also said that the gang-rape cases are increasing at an alarming mode and fortunately four rape cases came to light after media intervention. Even the police were dancing in the tune of the Minister for which the case was not registered in the name of the criminals, he added.

Sahoo also alleged that the criminals were under protected by the Minister in his concerned farm house and demanded stringent action against the SP of Puri. Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik as the chief of the Home Department should give direction to arrest the then Police Inspector of Pipili and ask the Minister Maharathi for resignation from his Ministry. Further, he demanded failing which the OPSC would continue rallies and meetings against the Government in all over the State till the demands are fulfilled.

Not to have faith on Judicial inquiry is unfortunate: BYJD

BHUBANESWAR: “The State Government has already appointed a Crime Branch inquiry, a Commission for Judicial inquiry and the Chief Minister has assured to take stringent action against the culprits. But to get political benefit out of the issue, opposition parties including the Congress’s demand for CBI inquiry and not having faith on judicial inquiry is unfortunate,” said president of Biju Yuva Janata Dal and MLA Sanjay Kumar Dasburma in a Press statement here on Monday.

He alleged that the people of the country know how Congress Government had misused the CBI in Bofors case and Taj Corridor case. Believing CBI is not other than political conspiracy, added Burma.   

Arrest Pradeep Maharathy: Youth Congress

BHUBANESWAR: Demanding Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy’s arrest, the Bhubaneswar Parliament Youth Congress (BPYC) staged a dharna lead by its president Lokanath Moharathy in front of the Additional District Magistrate’s office here on Tuesday. A team of Congress leaders handed over a memorandum to the Governor through the ADM.

Attending the dharna, president of the State Youth Congress Sangram Keshari Jena alleged that Maharathy is the main villain of the Pipili gang-rape case. The Youth Congress is demanding Maharathy’s arrest for giving protection to his followers in his farm house, he added. On the other hand, he said negligence of the police and the conspiracy of the minister to suppress the facts is not a matter of secrecy, the people know about the original face of the minister.

Former Congress MP Soumyaranjan Patnaik said that within 12 years of BJD ruling, the Home Departemnt is completely failed to act. From Paikamal to Pipili rape case, the State Government has not taken any distinctive steps to give justice to the victims, he added. He also said the Congress will start movement protesting Naveen Government’s failure.

Among others, treasurer of Pradesh Congress Committee Chiranjeev Biswal with the presidents of different assembly constituents in the city and prominent leaders of the Congress including Suresh Kumar Routray, Jagannath Patnaik, Kishore Patel, Sivananda Ray, Lalatendu B Mahapatra and other leaders were present in the dharna.

Fast food vendor shot dead in Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: After a few days of silence, again the ruffians’ guns roared in the Silk City. This time, a fast food shop vendor, Suresh Swain became the target. The unidentified miscreants on Tuesday gunned down the vendor at Dhobabandha in the city.

After firing, Suresh was brought to the MKCG Medical by the local police but the doctors declared him dead. The family members told that Suresh has no animosity with anybody in the town.

This is not for the first time, before one firing incident took place in the Bhanja Vihar campus on November 10, one person shot dead in Haridakhandi square in the city and one man from Hinjilikatu murdered by some miscreants, which have raised question marks about the law and order situation in the city. The city has witnessed several crime incidents within last 13 months including six murder cases, 12 bombing incidents, four firing incidents and 16 loot cases.

Dolphin count conducted in Chilika

BHUBANESWAR: Survey of Irrawaddy dolphin population in Chilika Lake conducted on Tuesday by Chilika Development Authority in collaboration with Chilika Wild Life Division with some volunteer organisations and experts from various institutions.

This year, for the annual population estimation of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) of Chilika Lake, 18 teams were formed. Out of 18 teams, eight from Satapada and ten from Balugaon were engaged in the survey. This is being carried out since from 2003.

The experts are recording the movements and whereabouts of the dolphins through GPS system. They have started the survey by dividing Chilika into four parts. The CDA officials informed that the final data of the survey will be final on Wednesday.