CM felicitates reality show winner Rajasmita

BHUBANESWAR: Odia girl Rajasmita Kar, who recently won the third edition of Zee TV’s popular dance reality show ‘Dance India Dance’, was felicitated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here at the Secretariat on Thursday.

Praising Rajasmita for her achievement, Patnaik said the victory has brought glory to the State which is famous for its traditional dance and song. In the field of arts, she has become an ideal for others and become an inspiration for the youngsters, he added.

Patnaik felicitated with silver made peacock as a gift and wished her a successful life. On this occasion, Minister Sharada Prasad Nayak was present.

ID market vendors protest demolition drive

BHUBANESWAR: Small-scale vendors of Indradhanu Market at Nayapalli in the city strongly protested the demolition drive ordered by Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and demanded permanent Pindi (vending space) to run their business here on Thursday.

To demolish the encroachment from the vegetable market, BDA officials reached there with bull dozer, but due to strong protest the demolition drive could not take place.

Under the banner of the Indradhanu Market Small-scale Vendors Association, hundreds of vendors first opposed the BDA officials to stop the demolition drive in the market, but they did not listen to them. Then the vendors strongly protested the officials by torching tyres on the road and some of them slept in front of the bull dozer protesting the demolition drive.

“Once BDA had told us to stay here till we are provided with some space for business purpose. But now the BDA is using police to start demolition drive,” said association secretary Anjan Rath.  

Honesty is still the best policy

BHUBANESWAR: To get instant and easy money, some people choose the way of dacoity, looting and stealing, but few honest people do different things by returning missed money or jewelry to the owner of the valuables. Similar case happened with a slum dweller Narayan Jena of Salia Sahi under Nayapalli police station.

Jena, working as a mason, found a vanity bag fallen on the road on Wednesday morning while he was going to his work field. The bag containing jewelries worth Rs 3 lakh was falsely claimed by some persons to get the bag, but Jena handed over the vanity bag to the police station.

The vanity bag belonged to the wife of retired IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra. While she was going in his car, unknowingly her vanity felled down on the road.

Police officers and people of his area appreciated the honesty of Jena. Some people said honesty is still the best policy. Being a poor man, did not want to take the precious jewelry and money to home which is the real truthfulness of a man, said the police. Jena will be awarded by the Commissionerate Police for his honesty.    

MLA Jagabandhu murder case: Home Dept announces Rs 5 lakh award for informer

BHUBANESWAR: Home department on Wednesday announced award of Rs 5 lakh for the informer in Umerkote MLA Jagabandhu Majhi murder case. Last year on September 24, MLA Majhi and his PSO were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at village Gona under the jurisdiction of Raighar police station.

After the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered a Crime Branch probe into the broad daylight murder of MLA Majhi. Seven months have already passed, whereas Crime Branch could not trace out the culprits involved in the matter.

It may be noted that on the day of the incident, MLA Majhi had gone to Gona to attend a function to distribute forest land Records of Rights (ROR) to the beneficiaries of the village. While the function was going on, at about 12.45 pm three unidentified gunmen who were previously hiding inside the crowd suddenly opened fired at the PSO and then the MLA. The duo died on the spot.

CPM to set up ‘Left & Democratic Front’

BHUBANESWAR: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will set up a platform ‘Left and Democratic Front’ to fight against capitalism and imperialism and work for common people in the country, said the Odisha State Committee secretary of CPI (M) Janardan Pati at a Press meet here on Wednesday.

In a recently ended 20th party congress, which was held in Kerala, the party decided to set up the front which will create movement against Government’s apathy towards poor farmers, labourers, artisans, dalits, tribals and minorities living in the country.

The front will raise voice against farmer suicide, price rise and inflation, unemployment, corruption and criminalisation of politics. It also protests the neo-liberal policy pursued by imperialistic foreign countries. “Our new front will not work for election purpose, but for people’s interest. It will create mass movement demanding land, food, PDS system, adequate wage, employment, medical facility, education and other amenities for the common people of the country,” said Pati.

Regarding Odisha State, Pati said the Government failed to address the issue of the dalits and tribals. Still farmers and labourers are living in a miserable condition, he added. “Our new front will take up the issue and start mass movement for the development of the State,” Pati said.

Seshadri’s father demands early investigation

--body arrives at the capital

BHUBANESWAR: Bereaved father K Sudhakar Rao who came from Jaipur in Koraput district to receive his son’s body has demanded for speed up of investigation into the murder case. He also claimed that some valuables were looted from his son few days before the murder. After few days, they did know about this from Seshadri’s friends, he added.

Rao alleged that there is no progress in the investigation process. “There is no concern, seriousness and care because we don’t have any protest. Had this case of any foreigner in India, the Government take care of it but an Indian in foreign there is no concern,” lamented Rao. He also said the Indians are keeping quite and facing all the odds.   

After the body of Odia student K Seshadri Rao, who was killed in the USA, reached at New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, it arrived at the capital city in the evening by air. Parents of the deceased student reached the airport to receive the body of their son. The body will be cremated at the Swargdwar in Puri, sources said.

Peoples of Jaipur town offered tribute to Seshadri on Tuesday. Intellectuals, students and some organisations came out with a candle light rally praying for the departed soul.  

It may be noted that Odia student Seshadri, was murdered by some unknown anti-social elements at the Boston 2G Common Wealth Avenue near the university campus on Thursday. Sources said after completion of his B Tech, he was doing his MBA (Treasury and Investment) at the Boston University in Alston town in the USA. His course was scheduled to be complete by next month.

City advocates protest Sub-registrar office transfer

--decision postponed for a month: Minister

BHUBANESWAR: Protesting the Government’s decision over transfer of Sub-registrar office, members of the Bhubaneswar Advocates’ Association blocked Puri-Cuttack road by torching tyres on the road here on Monday.

Before, the Government had decided to transfer the office to Khandagiri, but the decision was postponed due to strong protest from the advocates. Again the advocates are protesting the Government’s decision to transfer the Sub-registrar office to Chandrasekharpur.

“Common people along with the advocates are depending on this office. In 2007-08, decision to transfer of the office was cancelled after our strong protest, while again the Government is committing same mistake,” said the one of a lawyer of the Association.

On the other hand, transfer decision was postponed for a month after advocates protest and strike. “For the benefit of the common people, the Government planned to set up two Sub-registrar offices at Khandagiri and Chandrasekharpur in the city. The Government postponed the transfer decision for a month,” said State Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra here.

If the Government will not withdraw the decision, they will continue their strike and strongly protest the decision, the advocates said.       

    

Govt responsible for spawning of Maoists: Milli Panda

BHUBANESWAR: “The Government has created Maoist factory in State. Frustrated and harassed common people, due to negligence and exploitation by the police and other Government officials in the tribal areas, support Maoists to fight against injustice and this support inspires Maoists to fight against the Government,” said Milli alias Subhashree Panda in a discussion on ‘Maoist problem in State and its solution’ here on Monday.

Milli said the abduction drama will continue unless until the Government does not stop its autocratic and lackadaisical attitude towards fulfilling the genuine demands of Maoists. So, the Government should keep the dialogue process on with the Maoists to create a congenial atmosphere to bring them into the mainstream of the society, but the Government should frame a peace policy first to start mutual discussion to address their problems, she added.

“We also need a solution to the Maoists problem, but Government at first solve the major problems like land problem and liquor business from the tribal areas and provide free access to health facilities, education and other infrastructure development works in the area,” she said.

Participating in the debate, Lok Shakti Abhiyan convener Prafulla Samantara said the pent-up anger of exploited and harassed common people gradually loses faith on administrative system of the Government and later it inspires them to support Maoists. Alleging frontal organisations of Maoists, the Government is creating conspiracy to ban the tribal democratic organisations to suppress their voice against exploitation by Government officials, which is an anti-democratic attitude of any Government, he added.

While, former MP Anadi Sahu said the Maoists are taking benefits by playing the cards of social problem and injustice. Some Maoists have taken this protracted revolution as way of life, but it is possible to bring the Maoists into mainstream of the society, he added.

Columnist Sudarshan Das said the Government should give respect to the opinion of the people and should provide a democratic space to ventilate their voice. Administrative reform is the need of the hour as corruption paralysed the parts of the Government system, he added.

Leader of anti-liquor campaign in western Odisha Snehalata Patel said the rebellion emerges due to social indifference. Now the people with power are looting the State, for their self they can do everything by neglecting common people.

Journalist Rajaram Satpathy presiding over the discussion said the system could not be changed by violence. Some groups came forward to change the system with gun point, but is it possible in a democratic country, he added.

Finally, all the participants of the discussion opined that the Government should start dialogue process and frame a policy for the settlement of the problem because Maoist problem is a major constraint in the socio-economic development of the Maoist infested areas in the State.

Five arrested in Panchupalli firing case

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police arrested five persons here on Sunday in connection with firing on Deepak Kumar Pradhan of Panchupalli village under Airfield police station in the city on Tuesday. Contract was given for the firing, police revealed. 

They were identified as Kuna alias Ranjit Champati (22), Pintu alias Satyapriya Biswal (22), Babu alias Ashok Mahapatra (23) of Retang, Madhab alias Mahadev Mandal of Dumduma and Manmath Barala (24) of Tamando in Khurda.

Kuna and Pintu had framed the conspiracy and given supari Rs 1 lakh to kill Deepak. The duo had given Rs 30,000 in advance to Madhab for the firing, but fortunately Deepak escaped from the other bullets. Police seized two bikes from the culprits’ possession which were used on the day of the firing, while another accused of the case is absconding.

It may be noted that Deepak was injured when some unidentified miscreants fired at him near his village on Tuesday. His health condition is now stable, sources said.

Police station gheraoed in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: Demanding arrest of miscreants and anti-socials, who created terror at Bhabarada by firing and blasting bombs on Friday night, hundreds of irate villager gheraoed a police station at Polasara in Ganjam district on Sunday.

The angry villagers blocked the main road for several hours demanding stringent action against the ruffians who are committing crimes and created terror in their area. They also demanded action against the persons who sell liquor in the village.

The villagers have been opposing the sale of liquor in the village and its nearby area, but the liquor vendors and their associate miscreants do not heed the villagers’ words. The villagers were up in arms after miscreants fired in air and exploded bombs when they opposed sale of liquor in the village.

The villagers called off their agitation when the police assured of action against the miscreants and anti-socials in their area. However, no one was injured in the incident, police said.

Odia girl Rajasmita shines in ‘Dance India Dance-3’

BHUBANESWAR/ROURKELA: Ending all speculation and perception the Odia girl Rajasmita Kar was declared the winner at the grand finale of the third edition of Zee TV’s popular dance reality show ‘Dance India Dance’ on Saturday night.

In the grand finale Rajasmita (Geeta Ki Gang) stood number one by scoring 48, 89,030 votes by surpassing her other four contestants Pradeep Gurung of Assam and Raghav Juyal of  Dehradun from ‘Terence Ki Toli’ group, Sanam Johar of Delhi and Mohena Singh of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh from ‘Remo Ke rangeelay’ group.

Rajasmita was awarded with winner trophy (Taqdeer ki Topi) and Maruti Ertiga car. One interesting act performed by Kar, where 24 dancers along with her hung in mid air with the help of a truss, mesmerised the audience. Her dance performance was highly praised by all three masters Geeta Kapoor, Remo D’Souza and Terence Lewis and Grand Master Mithun Chakraborty.

Rajasmita hails from a lower medium class family of Basanti Colony here, is a +2 Arts Student. Her father Ramesh Kar is an electrician. Rajasmita started taking dance lessons from a local teacher, Aman Nayak. She loves Hip Hop the most but she does all other dance styles pretty well.

Many social and cultural organisations of the city are eagerly awaiting Rajasmita’s arrival to felicitate her.

OUAT Forestry students sit in dharna after college sine die

BHUBANESWAR: Students of the Forestry College of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) sat in dharna here at the Lower PMG on Sunday again protesting college sine die and demanding BSc (Forestry) degree the minimum qualification for direct recruitment in the range officer cadre of the department.

 After the sine die declaration by university authorities, the forestry students left college hostel on Saturday following a notification issued on Friday night to vacate hostel within 24 hours. Protesting the decision of the University authorities, the forestry students sat on dharna in front of Raj Bhawan on Saturday morning.

According to the Students’ Union president of College of Forestry Manoj Kumar Behera, Vice Chancellor of the varsity assured them for a positive outcome and took seven days for the solution of the problem on April 12, when they sat in dharna in front of his office. But, they could not get a satisfied answer, he added.

“After an academic meeting of the varsity, sine die was declared on Friday night, which was a socking incident for us,” said Behera. Even the letters have also been issued to the parents of students on this matter, he added.

On this issue, VC DP Ray said the students are not willing to listen us. Within one day their demand could not be fulfilled, it takes time and it is a matter of administrative level, he added. “As the students did not come to class, university authorities decided to close the college sine die,” Ray said.

 

It may be noted that forestry students of OUAT were on an indefinite strike since February 27. They have been demanding from 2010 as earlier, they had also conducted 67 day strike for fulfilling of their demands. Recently, the students have threatened self-immolation if their demands are not met.

Maoists torch phone exchange in Bandhugaon

JEYPORE: On the sidelines of the two-day bandh call in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon by Andhra-Odisha Boarder Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of CPI (Maoist), the ultras torched a BSNL telephone exchange at Alamanda of Bandhugaon block in Koraput district on Saturday.

In the wee hours of Friday, the red rebels had torched five vehicles, tipper and few other excavating machines at a contractor’s camp at Pendajam village under Semliguda police limits.

Communication from Laxmipur to Narayanpatna and towards Bandhugaon completely blocked as the roads were blocked by felled trees, while communication between Parvatipuram in Andhra Pradesh and Narayanpatna could not be established as ultras have dug up the roads in some places.

Demanding withdrawal of the forces, ban on liquor in tribal areas, land rights for tribals and shutting of paramilitary forces camps in the region, the ultras have continued their strike and blockade in the area.

3 arrested in Namita firing case

--Money dispute was the reason behind firing

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police arrested three persons in connection with the Namita Padhi firing case on Friday. Police also revealed that money dispute was the reason behind the firing. Four are absconding, sources said.

Mancheswar police nabbed three culprits Akash alias Biswanath Pradhan, Kuni alias Rajendra Kumar Samal and Jitu alias Jitendra Patra after conducting several raids in the city. The police seized Rs 30,000 as cash, one motor vehicle and a Bolero car from their possession.

“The arrested persons targeted Namita during last three months. They had planned before to create harm to her. Money dispute was the reason behind the firing,” said DCP Nitinjeet Singh.

It may be noted that on Friday, some unidentified miscreants fired at Namita Rani Padhi at Mancheswar.         

PTI Employees strike work for pay revision

BHUBANESWAR: Employees of India’s premier news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) here struck work on Friday as part of a country-wide strike called by their union in protest against the inordinate delay in implementation of Justice G R Majithia Wage Board recommendations for revision of their pay-scale which had been submitted way back in December, 2010.

The protesters lamented that the recommendations were yet to be implemented though the Central Government had also approved the report and issued a notification in this regard in November, 2011. They said that their pay-scale has not been revised for last 13 years. They were facing a lot of difficulty with meager salary in these days of spiraling price and high inflation.

The employees, who had held several demonstrations and dharna all over the country since last year to press their demands, also threatened to resort to an indefinite strike if their salary is not hiked as per the Wage Board recommendations.

‘Filaria cases decreasing in State'

--State aims to eradicate filaria disease by 2015

BHUBANESWAR: “Regular use of DEC tablets can eradicate filarial disease from our State,” said the doctors and officials of sensitisation programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) at a Press briefing on Mass Drug Administration (MDA) organised by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and the State Directorate of Health Services here on Friday.         

“Lymphatic Filariasis, also called as filarial disease, is decreasing in the State and we are in the stage of elimination. We are hopeful to eradicate the disease from the State by 2015 in order to support nation’s aim,” said Deputy Director of NVBDCP Dr Madan Mohan Pradhan.

On April 22, the volunteers and ASHA workers will distribute DEC and Albendazole tablets to the people by going door to door. Everyone can take the medicine, except serious ill persons, pregnant women and below two year children. Only one dose per year for continuous five year through MDA can eradicate the disease, the doctors advised. No major side effect will occur after consuming the tablets, they added.         

According to the district-wise coverage report of MDA, Microfilaria rate was 2.57 in the State whereas, the rate decreased to 0.41 in 2010 and it may come down to 0.3 in the upcoming MDA report of 2011. The Microfilaria rate is constantly decreasing, which is a good sign, said Deputy Director of Public Health PC Sahu.

According to the report of March 2011, MDA had covered 2, 36, 27,615 people which was 91.34% of the target population. The authorities had supplied 64, 90, 00861 DEC tablets out of which 5, 97, 49,663 tablets were used. This year, the population target is 2.62 crore and the supply of tablets is 7.20 crore. To make the programme successful, Rs 2.68 crore is allotted, informed Deputy Director of the programme Pradhan.

‘Showcase Odisha Award’ launched

BHUBANESWAR: Prelude Novel Ventures, a premier Media, Communications and Events Company, launched a new award ‘Showcase Odisha Award’ here on Friday to honour contemporary achievers who have made and continue to make Odisha proud.

The award function will be held on April 28 this current year and the company will honour 12 iconic personalities with the 1st Showcase Odisha Award. The company will also launch a quarterly print publication ‘Showcase Odisha Magazine’ which will encapsulate the best of the stories for posterity, every quarter, informed it’s Managing Director Satyabrat Ratho at a Press conference here.

The magazine will highlight the success stories emanating out of Odisha in various fields along with reiterating the fact that we are an emerging hub of Education, IT and Industries, Ratho added.

 “This initiative aims to bring forth the exceptional talents, stalwarts, dynamic leaders, the towering personalities and visionaries of Odisha who have followed their dreams with unparallel conviction in achieving the zenith of success. Making their presence felt worldwide and making Odisha proud,” Ratho said.

Among others, co-sponsors Centurian University chairman Mukti Mishra and RVCCL Managing Director Devi Prasad Mohanty were present.

Tension over medical PG counseling in city

BHUBANESWAR: In service doctors staged dharna at the counseling hall here at the Institutes of Engineers on Thursday protesting change in rank and adding candidates of medical PG entrance 2011 in 2012 merit list. As a result, counseling could not be taken place.

First in service merit list was declared on April 10, 2012 which was the actual list, but a combined merit list of left out 2011 candidates, who have not even qualified in 2012 exam, and the actual merit list was declared on Thursday at 2 am, whereas counseling was at 10 am. For this reason the rank holders whose rank has come down could not get time to fight for justice, the in service doctors alleged. 

The rank losers demanded the counseling should go on according to 1st merit list or the counseling should be postponed or give at least 10 days time to fight for justice.

Medical PG Counseling Committee coordinator Umakant Satpathy said that they had received the information on Wednesday to prepare a combined merit list by taking two groups of candidates, so that they added the both list and merit ranking should be done according to their mark secured in the examination.

“Out of the two groups of the candidates, one group is imposing pressure for counseling whereas the other is completely defiant to stop the counseling,” informed coordinator Satpathy. 

Head of illegal city children’s home arrested

BHUBANESWAR: Head of an illegal children home run by Shri Anand Mission Ashram situated at Damana in the city was arrested by the police here on Thursday. District administration declared the children home as illegal and head of the Ashram Sridhar Satpathy was forwarded to the court.  

In a raid by Khurda Sub-collector and Children Care on the children home run by Shri Anand Mission Ashram situated at Damana in the city, 57 children were rescued from the home on Wednesday. The home was functioning allegedly for 13 years, sources said. After the raid, the children were handed over to Child Welfare Council (CWC) officials for counseling.

Out of the total 107 children staying in the home, 13 were girls of 5-16 age group and 44 boys of 10-18 age groups. The home was providing sub-standard food and the proper guideline was not followed, the officials, who conducted the raid, said. However, the caretaker and authority denied the allegation.   

“The children home was completely an unregistered organisation for which that is being closed. The rescued students and other students who were staying in the Ashram will be rehabilitated in different Sebashrams of respective districts and the students of general categories will be settled in some reputed and registered NGOs,” informed Khurda sub-collector Saroj Kumar Samal.

On the other hand, the head of the Ashram did not agree with the allegation brought by the district administration and the care taker of the Ashram said they were not aware about the complicated guidelines of the Government. According to the CWC officials, due to the Government negligence, children homes are not getting license in proper time though they applied for license.

According to a data given by Women and Child Development Department, 133 Ashrams have license to run their children home. Out of that 130 children homes and three Balashrams were registered, while 160 children homes in 14 districts are illegally run by some organisations, it added.         

Man behind extortion call to doctor arrested

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate Police on Wednesday arrested Deepak Dwivedi who was the mastermind behind the extortion call to Dr Satya Ranjan Samal, a dental surgeon of a private hospital in the city, demanding Rs 10 lakh in the name of gangsters.

Samal, a resident of Mahanadi Vihar in Cuttack, said some people called him over phone demanding Rs 10 lakh and threatening that if he failed to pay the money, they would abduct and kill him. This had left the doctor and his family in a state of horror that’s why he had urged the police to give protection to his family.

He had lodged a complaint at the Capital police station on Sunday and then the police arrested Deepak from Kharavelnagar area in the city on Wednesday.

Before, the doctor had named the caller as one Deepak Dwivedi who was once forwarded to the court by the police. Deepak is a member of Ruman gang, six members of which were recently arrested by the Commissionerate police along with the gang leader.

Firing in city again, youth injured

BHUBANESWAR: After six days of firing at Namita Padhi at Mancheswar, again an incident happened in the city on Wednesday. One youth Deepak Kumar Pradhan of Panchupalli village under Airfield police station sustained injury when some unidentified miscreants fired at him near his village.

On the day of the incident, miscreants came in a bike and fired three round bullet at Deepak. He was suddenly rushed to a private hospital. After operation, doctors recovered a bullet from Deepak’s body.

Day before the incident, Deepak had an argument on offering cigarette near a betel shop. The very next day some unidentified miscreants came and fired at him. Though the particular reason is yet to be traced out, the police are investigating into the matter. Police is detaining some persons regarding the case.

It may be noted that on April 13, some unidentified miscreants fired at Namita Rani Padhi at Mancheswar. The Commissionerate Police yet to arrest the culprits involved in the case as six days already passed. One lakh was given as contract to shoot Namita, sources said.

   

‘Implement SC commission’s recommendation in Pipili case’

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha State SC/ST Youth and Students’ Council urged the State Government to work out on the recommendation by SC Commission chairman PL Punia to arrest Pradeep Maharathy and administrative officers and to cancel the licenses of doctors involved in the Pipili case.

The council informed in a press note that exploitation and attack on dalit people in the State are on the rise. Punia expressed grave concern over the attack on the dalits and recommended the Centre and the State Government to take proper action against defaulters of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Punia in his earlier visit to the State for investigation into dalit atrocity cases, he rued over doctors’ recklessness in the case of a dalit girl of Pipili Babina Behera, politicians hand and police inaction in the matter.

President of the council Haladhar Sethy urged the Government to take sincere action against the culprits of the Pipili case and to implement the recommendation of the SC Commission immediately.

Sai Pragati investors demand CBI probe into land fraud case

BHUBANESWAR: Investors of the Sai Pragati Assets and Properties (SPAP) and S Virgin Worldwide Concept Pvt Ltd demanded high-level inquiry by Economic Offence Wing of CBI into the land fraud case by the company here at a Press meet on Wednesday. 

“The Company at first convinced us by showing us up-to-date information, but after two year it gradually stopped its updating and later checked its operation by cheating us. It was a pre-planned fraud by the company which strategically built confidence among the investors in the beginning, but finally gave a major blow to us,” lamented an investor Aniruddh Mahapatra of Brahmapur at the Press meet here.  

On March 15 this year, hundreds of Sai Pragati investors demanding a high level inquiry into the fraud case by the company had staged a dharna in front of the State Assembly and later in their memorandum urged the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter.

The investors said the company having its office at Bapuji Nagar in the city was run by its Managing Director Debasish Mohanty, Associate Directors Nirmal Prasad Padhy, Ashwin Kumar Das, Surath Kumar Sahoo and Kamalakant Patnaik are involved in the cheating of alleged Rs 600 crore from its investors. More than 85,000 investors were affected due to the fraud, they alleged. Even the Lord Jagannath temple properties have seen sold to their customers by above said cheaters, the investors added.

They alleged that the company has not paid the promised amount to any investors from last October. Moreover, the office was closed on December 23 last year, they said. Regarding this matter, the investors had lodged hundreds of FIRs in different police stations in the city. But the police are not taking serious action in the matter, they alleged.

The investors publicly demanded the arrested Sai Pragati Company CMD Debashish Mohanty should not be given bail, the police should arrest the other associates of Mohanty, the State Government should order a high level probe into the case, confiscate the properties of the alleged company managers and to return investors’ money immediately.

Among others, investors including Abhimanyu Nayak, Aniruddh Mahapatra, Ranjita Das, Bijay Maharana and Sk Abdul Quadir were present.       

Tusker found dead inside Chandaka forests

BHUBANESWAR: A 65-year-old tusker found dead under the Chandaka forest range at Dashpur village near Andharua on the outskirts of the capital city on Tuesday. The body of the pachyderm was lying in an agricultural field around 2 km from the village.  

According to the wildlife officer Fanindra Bhushan Nanda, they generally do tracking elephants. On the day of the incident, they tracked 13 elephants entered to the forest, but could not found one tusker, he said. After sometime they found the body of the tusker near Dashpur village, Nanda added.  

According to the forest department sources, the tusker was roaming around the forest alone. The forest officials said that the tusks of the elephant, one measuring 53 inches and another 49 inches, were intact.

The villagers of Dashpur said the elephants died due to fighting with other elephants in the reserved forest as the carcass of the elephant had several injury marks on its body. The exact cause of the death of the elephant could be ascertained after post-mortem, forest officials said.

‘Women panchayat leaders are catalysts’

BHUBANESWAR: “Women elective representatives of panchayat-level are the change agents of development in the country. Proper training to the women representatives will yield good results,” opined most of the Media persons in an interface of Media with elected women representatives (EWRs) of panchayat-level organised by The Hunger Project (THP), a global organisation working to build capacities of EWRs, here on Monday.

Over 20 trained EWRs from Angul, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Khurda district and as many representatives from leading print and electronic media participated in this interface, and shared mutual experiences and views on ‘Highlighting Women Leadership in Panchayati Raj Institutions’.

Participating in the interface, ward member of Randiba Panchayat of Gajapati district Kundan Raita spoke about her fight against the powerful groups to restore peace in her area and she succeeded in her attempt to stop illegal liquor vending in her area with the help of police and district administration, which has given a new ray of hope for the rural tribal people of her area to fight against illegal works.

Similarly, Cheligada Sarpanch Mamata Berdalei, a sarpanch in Balianta block near the city Soudamini Das, Sunabeda sarpanch Malati Majhi, a ward member of Daruthenga panchayat in Khurda district Khulana Behera and other EWRs spoke in the interface.

Program officer of THP Sukanta Mohapatra expressed concern over two-child norm and the recent added qualifier of caste certificate during nomination in the PRI poll, which created obstacles for women candidates particularly. He appealed to the Media for positive coverage of successful women leaders in panchayat –level.

Program associate of THP Litali Das said the people are slowly awaking to the positive outcomes of women in governance. “Societal attitude against women leaders is changing but there is need for a continuous sharing on women leaders' achievements, so that the process can be speeded up,” she added.

3 train looters arrested from city rail station

BHUBANESWAR: The GRP police officials arrested three inter-state looters and dacoits from a running train at the city railway station here on Sunday. The police have seized net cash, mobiles, eight ATM cards and sharp weapons from the possession of the looters. But the mastermind Anant and other two persons were absconding, sources said.

The persons were cheating the train passengers in the running train pretending as textile vendors are from Bhagalpur area of Bihar, sources said. According to a culprit, they have been doing such activities during last five months.

“These guys know how to loot the passengers in which way and at what time. In the guise of selling textile items, they were looting the passengers. We will contact the local police station of Bihar to trace out the other culprits involved in the activities,” said Bhubaneswar GRP IIC Smrutiranjan Kar.              

Tollgate employee run over by a truck

BHUBANESWAR: A tollgate employee was killed as goods truck ran over him at Khurda-Gangapada tollgate on the outskirts of the city in the wee hours of Sunday. He was identified as Narayan Baral, a retired army jawan, from Khandapada area of Nayagarh district.

Around 2:40 am on Sunday, very few vehicles were crossing the tollgate. At the gate number-8, suddenly a goods loaded truck speedily passed the tollgate. At that very moment, while Baral was crossing the gate collided with the truck and died on the spot. The whole visualisation of the incident was automatically being captured by the CCTV camera fixed at the tollgate, which provided the information about the incident that happened in that night.

At the same time, a police van passed the gate rightly after the truck, but they could not marked the incident happened suddenly, sources said. For sometimes, the tollgate employees blocked the road protesting the accident of their colleagues.

Vet Docs’ posting proposal to be placed before next cabinet

--Veterinary doctors call off strike

BHUBANESWAR: The veterinary doctors of the State called off their 20-day long strike on Monday following the decision taken by Animal Husbandry Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi to discuss on the demands in the next cabinet meeting.

From March 14, the veterinarians include 750 regular veterinary officers, around 150 contractual staff members and 400 students have staged dharna in front of the State Assembly demanding regularisation of existing contractual veterinary doctors, entry grade at junior class I, cadre restructuring and ad hoc appointment of veterinary graduates instead of contractual appointment.

After a complete discussion between the veterinary doctors and Minister Majhi on this matter, the veterinarians called off the strike. Majhi assured the veterinary doctors to place their posting proposal before the next cabinet meeting.

In the meeting, MLA Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the department Satyabrata Sahu, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, president and secretary of Veterinary Doctors Association, president of Odisha Veterinary College Students’ Association and others were present.

   

Eight arrested for killing youth in city suburb

BHUBANESWAR: The Commissionerate police on Monday arrested eight persons from Ghatikia and its nearby areas in the city in connection with the Sandeep Nanda murder case. Investigation is underway to arrest the other culprits, according to sources.

It may be noted that Sandeep Kumar Nanda (28) alias Bapi, a youth of Ghatikia, was allegedly killed by a gang of miscreants on Sunday night at Paikarapur.

On the day of the incident, Bapi and his friend had an argument with a betel-shop owner at Paikarapur following which the shop owner called some local youths over phone. After a few minutes, a gang of 15-20 local youths arrived at the spot and started beating Bapi and his friend. The gang members did not let them go even after beating.

Getting information that Bapi was serious, his family members rushed to the spot and found him unconscious. But the victim breathed his last on way to hospital.

Receiving an FIR from the family members, the Khandagiri police reached the spot and started investigation. Eight persons were arrested. To nab the other culprits, the police have started raid on different places. 

Youth mass prominent partner of State’s development: CM

BHUBANESWAR: At the State-level Odisha divas celebration and folk art festival, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the State has created a new identity in the country in the field of development. The State Government has initiated many schemes for the development of agriculture and industry, economy of the State and living standard of the people has been increased, he added.

On women empowerment Patnaik said the State has already witnessed numbers of women are participating in the process of development of the State. Women empowerment has created a mass movement in the State, he added.

“Through strong determination and entrepreneurial attitude of the youth, our State can renovate its past glory and we can be a developed State. The youth mass will be the prominent partner of State’s development,” said Patnaik while addressing the mass here.

Among others, State Assembly speaker Pradeep Amat, Revenue Minister Suryanarayan Patro, MP Prasanna Patsani, MLA’s of Bhubaneswar and departmental secretaries were present. On the occasion, two books ‘Utkal Prasanga’ and ‘Odisha Review’ were released by the Chief Minister.

After the general meeting, folk art festival started at the Exhibition ground. Folk dances including Jodisankha of Ganjam, Gotipua of Raghurajpur, Ghumura of Kalahandi, Demsa of Koraput, Laudi of Dhenkanal, Paika dance of Khurda, Chau of Mayurbhanj, Mogal Tamsa of Bhadrak, Jalia Sabar of Bouda, Karma of Sundergarh, Ghodanach and Sambalpuri dances took part in the festival.