Woman dies during Rath Yatra in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: An elderly woman died and her granddaughter was injured when the chariot of Lord Jagannath run over them at Singipur under Patapur police limits in Ganjam district on Sunday, sources said. 

According to Patapur IIC Ajay Kumar Barik, the incident happened at the noon while the old woman Rukuna Sahu (80) was trying to touch the chariot from the front side. She died on the spot and her granddaughter Laxmi (5) fell unconscious. 

The small girl, admitted at a local hospital, was later shifted to the MKCG Medical College and hospital here.

     

Suspected Maoist nabbed, rifles seized in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: One suspected Maoist was arrested and a huge cache of arms were seized by the CRPF and the district police from Merikote forest area under Sorada block in Ganjam district during a combing operation late on Thursday, police sources said.

The man identified as Damba Mallick of Krupagadi village under the Badagada police station in the district was taken in custody on the suspicion of being a Maoist when the CRPF patrol unit was combing the area, sources added.

According to CRPF official sources, three INSAS rifles, two bolt action guns, 119 rounds of ammunition, four live magazines of INSAS and three other such bullet cases along with 10 kg of iron splinter used for making IEDs were recovered from the Adi-anga-Sorada area during a joint combing operation by the CRPF and the Ganjam police on Thursday. The seized arms and ammunition have been handed over to the local police, sources in the CRPF added.

Police sources said the arms were possibly looted from the police or security forces.

Man, son killed in Ganjam, one held

BRAHMAPUR: Two members of a family were killed and a woman was seriously injured when miscreants attacked them at Jagannathpur village under the Patapur police station in Ganjam district on Saturday.

The victims were identified as Gola Swain (60) and his son Rajeev (40), the police said. Critically injured Maya, Gola’s wife, is undergoing treatment at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here.

According to reports, when the family members were going to the pond for bathing after harvesting the paddy crop on Saturday morning, three miscreants, identified as three brothers, suddenly attacked them.

The police recovered the bodies in a pool of blood near the pond. A person was arrested from the spot and three weapons used in the attack have been seized, said the police.

Land dispute might be the reason behind the murder, said Aska sub divisional police officer Sarah Sharma.

Youth shot dead in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: A betel shop owner at Humma railway station under Rambha police station in Ganjam district, 37 km away from here, was shot dead by two unidentified bike-borne miscreants on Monday.

The deceased was identified as Prasad Kumar Behera (28) of Khajuriapalli village under Rambha police station limit in the district. On Monday morning, the two miscreants came to Behera’s betel shop and asked two cigarettes. While handing over the cigarettes, the miscreants started firing at him. When Behera lost consciousness and fell down from the shop, the miscreants fled from the spot.

Behera was rushed to the Chatrapur sub-divisional hospital, but on the way he died. The police sent the body for post mortem.

According to the police, the firing incident occurred due to previous enmity. The police found a khoka from the spot and investigating into the matter. “We will arrest the culprits very soon,” said Rambha police station IIC Rashmi Ranjan Pradhan.

Farmers lose Rs 10-20 crore due to distress sale in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: Farmers of Ganjam district lose Rs 10-20 crore every year due to distress sale of paddy and irregularities during purchasing of paddy, alleged the Rushikulya Ryot Mahasabha (RRM) and the Chasi Surakhya Abhiyan (CSA) here on Sunday.

In a Press release, CSA members said the State Government is yet to open paddy procurement cells (Mandi) in many places in Ganjam district. Around 80 per cent farmers of the district, who belong to sharecropper and small farmer category, face problems while selling paddy in the mandi as they have many restrictions. As a result, the poor farmers sell their paddy to the middlemen with Rs 200-250 less per quintal, they added.

“The paddy procurement committee at the panchayat level is a farce,” said CSA’s district convener Ravi Rath, adding, “There is a nexus between society secretaries, supply officer, officials of district administration, RMC officials and middlemen for which the poor farmers are suffering a lot.”

Rath alleged that the farmers are giving extra 2-7 kg more in a quintal as the mill owners convince the farmers by citing the reason of FAQ standard, though the paddy of the district was proved as it fulfill the necessary standard. The farmers are not getting their payment within seven days of paddy procurement, he alleged.

On January 19, a meeting was held between the district supply officials and mill owners at the District Magistrate’s conference hall on paddy procurement where mill owners were told to purchase paddy from anywhere in the district, but the district supply officers are not following the order for which reason the paddy could not purchased, said the RRM members.

“Stop anti-farmer policy and give Rs 1250 per quintal paddy without creating problems. If the Government doesn’t pay attention to our demands, we would take the matter to streets,” said the members of the RRM and CSA.

       

Woman murdered in Ganjam village

BRAHMAPUR: An elderly woman was murdered and two of her grandchildren were injured in the attack of some people in a village in Ganjam district in the wee hours of Friday. The police detained six persons in connection with the case.

The deceased was identified as Laxmi Patra of Nuagochha village under Badagarh police station limit in Ganjam district. According to sources, Laxmi was unhappy with some village persons on some particular decisions of the village members and for that reason she scolded those persons of the village.

Laxmi’s relation with the village people was not in a good track. She was in target of some unhappy people of the village as she scolded them before, said the sources. After few days, the village members called a meeting on Thursday night and discussed about the matter among them.

On that night, some village people entered into Laxmi’s house when the family members were in fast asleep and attacked her with sharp weapons. During the attack, two of her grandchildren were injured, said the police. Laxmi died on the spot and the grandchildren were rushed to a local hospital. The condition of grandchildren was stable.

Laxmi’s daughter-in-law Rina Patra lodged a complaint before the Badagarh police about the murder case on Friday, said the police. No arrest has been made in the case so far. The police are investigating into the matter.    

Ganjam custodial death: CM promises stern action

BRAHMAPUR: “Stringent action will be taken against the culprits in connection with the custodial death case,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his Ganjam visit on Friday. On the other hand, the postmortem report revealed that the person was died in hanging self, while viscera of the person have been sent for further test.  

A 30-year-old man, who had been held by Kabisuryanagar police on Wednesday for an inquiry into a kidnapping case, died on Thursday at a local hospital 50km away from here while in custody, after which two cops were suspended. He was identified as Dayanidhi Nayak of Khandianai village under Kodala police station limit in Ganjam district.

According to the police, Nayak had kidnapped a 15-year-old girl from the Kabisuryanagar area some days back. The girl’s mother then lodged a complaint against Nayak at the local police station alleging that Nayak kidnapped her daughter. The police arrested Nayak on Wednesday and put him in the custody where he attempted suicide by hanging from a skylight, the police said.

He was rushed to the local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. On the other hand, some locals alleged that Nayak died in police torture. Some sources said, Nayak was in love with the girl and they eloped where they were caught by the police.

After the incident, two police personnel constable PK Pradhan and Sub-Inspector Pratima Behera of Kabisuryanagar police station suspended. “Two cops including a Sub-Inspector were suspended. We have handed over the investigation to Human Rights Protection Cell,” said Ganjam SP Ashish Singh.

BJP and Congress leaders of the district demanded appropriate action against the police officers who are responsible for the unfortunate incident.

It may be noted that on February 28 last year, the officials of Chamakhandi police station of Ganjam district had allegedly arrested Lalit Dehury for keeping weapons illegally in his possession, but on the very next day he was found dead inside the police station.

Custodial death in Ganjam, 2 cops suspended

BRAHMAPUR: A 30-year-old man, who had been held by Kabisuryanagar police on Wednesday for an inquiry into a kidnapping case, died on Thursday at a local hospital 50km away from here while in custody, after which two cops were suspended. He was identified as Dayanidhi Nayak of Khandianai village under Kodala police station limit in Ganjam district.

According to police, Nayak had kidnapped a 15-year girl from Kabisuryanagar area some days back. The girl’s mother then lodged a complaint against Nayak at the local police station alleging that Nayak kidnapped her daughter. The police arrested Nayak on Wednesday and put him in the custody where he attempted suicide by hanging from a skylight, the police said.

He was rushed to the local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. On the other hand, some locals alleged that Nayak died in police torture. Some sources said, Nayak was in love with the girl and they eloped where they were caught by the police.

After the incident, two police personnel constable PK Pradhan and Sub-Inspector Pratima Behera of Kabisuryanagar police station suspended. “Two cops including a Sub-Inspector were suspended. We have handed over the investigation to Human Rights Protection Cell,” said Ganjam SP Ashish Singh.

BJP and Congress leaders of the district demanded appropriate action against the police officers who are responsible for the unfortunate incident.

It may be noted that on February 28 last year, the officials of Chamakhandi police station of Ganjam district had allegedly arrested Lalit Dehury for keeping weapons illegally in his possession, but on the very next day he was found dead inside the police station.

Man kills wife, daughter in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: In a shocking incident, a man killed his wife and two and a half year daughter by torching his house pouring Kerosene at Bhagabanpur village under Sorada police station limit in Ganjam district, about 90 km away from here, on Tuesday. The person was arrested by the local police.

The person was identified as Kandha Mahankud (31) of Bhagabanpur village. He was married to Sunita of his village four years back and they had a two and a half years daughter Smruti. They were living a blissful life, but the relation between the husband and wife became critical after some months of his marriage. Prior to the incident, the couple had some heat exchange, said Mahankud.

Three days back, Mahankud and his wife had an argument regarding money matter. He could not bear his wife and suddenly planned to kill her. Alcoholic Mahankud locked the house and torched that by pouring Kerosene in the early morning on Tuesday. When the villagers knew the matter, immediately came to the spot, but could not save the lives of the duo.

When Mahankud was escaping from the village after committing the crime, the villagers took him and handed over him to the local police. Local tehasildar Bedavar Pradhan and Inspector-In-Charge Bijay Kumar were rushed to the spot to take a stock of the situation.  

Illegal minor mineral transport in Ganjam, 26 vehicles seized

BRAHMAPUR: Following the set up of a district-level enforcement committee on Tuesday by the Ganjam District Administration to check illegal works done by the law breakers, the enforcement squad of revenue department has started their work from their first day to check the illegal works of the minor mineral mafias in the district.    

On Wednesday, all three Sub-Collectors and 23 Tehsildars of the district make massive raid on the illegal transportation of minor minerals like sand, stones and granites. The enforcement squad seized 26 vehicles among them 24 tractors, one truck and one JCB machine during the raid.

Maximum seven tractors were seized from Sanakhemundi tehsil area. An amount of Rs 2.5 lakh penalty collected from the illegal transporters with a caution to not repeat the illegal work further. According to the district officials, the fine along with legal prosecution will be imposed on such kind of illegal transporters of minor minerals.

It may be noted that on Tuesday a district-level enforcement committee was formed under the supervision of district Collector Dr Krishan Kumar to check the illegal activities in the district. All departments of the district administration will make their own squad and to give weekly report to the district authority regarding their enforcement activity, officials said.

   

Tribals led by LSM forcibly acquire land in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: Unlike the tribals’ forcibly land acquisition method followed in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon area of Koraput district, the tribal people of Ganjam district led by Lok Sangram Manch (LSM), an outfit working for the tribal rights, on Friday acquired around 60 acres of land by putting red flags on the land to claim their rights on their ancestors land.

More than hundred of tribal men and women from Tukabali area of Genja Panchayat under Sorada block in Ganjam district have put the red flags on their ancestors land to reclaim the land rights. The tribals led by the LSM came in a large procession with traditional weapons and red flags in their hands and forcibly plough the targeted land.

According to the LSM members, the tribals who were tenants of the lands became the owners. “We forcibly acquired the land which was planned to be sold by the owner of the land,” said a tribal woman.

On the other hand, Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said he has already directed the local tehsildar to inquiry about the claim of the tribals and to submit a detailed report on the matter.   

It may be noted that on July 25 last year, the supporters of the Lok Sangram Manch had encroached 5 acres of land proposed for the establishment of a High School gifted by Biswanath temple administration of the village. Similar encroachments were occurred near Haripur, Gojiakhamana village during last year.

     

7 child labourers rescued from Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: Ganjam police on Thursday, after conducting a raid on a granite factory, rescued seven child labourers who were engaged in hazardous work in the factory. The rescued children are presently under the supervision of Childline. After consultation, the Childline would hand over the children to their parents, said Brahmapur Childline director Sudhir Sabat.

According to the Hinjilikatu police, one Mohan Raula had brought the children from Boudh district to employ them in the Avon Granite factory near Depaul Nagar at Kukudakhandi in Ganjam district. The Hinjilikatu police lead by its IIC Subash Chandra Panda conducted the raid and rescued the children employed in the hazardous plant, the police added.

The police handed over the children to the Childline and detained Raula for illegally engaging the children in the work. Police even seized a vehicle of the plant that was used to bring the children, police said.

Though, child labour is illegal according to the Child Labour Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Integrated Child Protection System, the traffickers are engaging the children in these factories by motivating the parents. Every year, the child traffickers bring children from Boudh, Kalahandi, Gajapati and some parts of the Ganjam district, said Sabat.     

Law and order situation in Ganjam deteriorating fast

-- Citizens’ forum cries for relief

BRAHMAPUR: Incidents of theft, dacoity and murder, traffic problems and illicit liquor business have increased during the last couple of months and the people of the Silk city as also of other parts of the district are overtaken by a sense of insecurity. The police are reportedly indifferent to public complaints. While the liquor mafias have a field day, street hoodlums are seen ruling the roost in many areas, giving clear impression of some nexus with a section of the administration.

These allegations have been made in a memorandum submitted to the DG of Police, the Home Secretary and the Chief Minister, by the Brahmapur Nagarik Manch (BNM) stating that Ganjam district in general and Brahmapur city in particular has turned into a crime zone in the State. Manch president and former Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly Rama Chandra Panda warned the Government that it will go for a public protest before the police headquarters here if the law and order situation does not improve. He cited the brutal violence of Siddhaguda and Kodala, which occurred due to failure on the part of the police to act appropriately and in time.

Panda said during the last couple of months, series of dacoities have taken place in the city, including robbing of a passenger who got down from a night train at Brahmapur railway station, have frightened the common men. The killing of a professor couple at Ramkrushna Nagar in the city on May 14 and the murder of an old woman in Gandhinagar clearly point to the failure in police patrolling and intelligence in the city and the district, he said.

Similarly, in the last week, a fish merchant was robbed on NH-5 near Chhatrapur and a Rambha merchant was also robbed near Palur under Ganjam block. These indicate serious deterioration of law and order situation in the region, Panda added.

The memorandum also said earlier, during the panchayat elections, serial bombings at Kantiagada under Rambha police station on January 24, at Kamalapadar under Khallikote PS on July 2, Banthapalli under Digapahandi PS on February 26, Chandpur under Chikiti PS on February 24, Kudutei under Jagannathprasad PS on February 15, Santoshpur under Rambha PS on February 16, besides a series of incidents that occurred in village Badachakada causing injury and deaths, pose serious law and order questions which need fixing of accountability.

In addition to these, the memorandum said, tourist places like Potagarh fort under Ganjam PS, Gopalpur-on-sea are equally crime-prone due to lack of proper policing. Many of the police stations lack adequate manpower and other infrastructures causing over-burden of work. Due to lack of effective supervision, many police stations are encouraging counter FIRs to shift responsibility at the instances of hoodlums.

According to Panda, the dacoities in Polsara and Bhanjanagar blocks have created a Chambal-like situation. The criminals and goons mounted on bikes are creating havoc in the Silk city and its periphery. There is open fighting of anti-social gangs over illicit liquor business and two such incidents occurred at Old Bus Stand, Gate Bazaar and Khodasingi area, he added.

In view of this, Panda welcomed the change of guard in the police establishment and hoped that it will improve the situation. The manch urged the Government to set up a District Citizens Committee for co-ordination between the citizens and the police, increase night patrolling, publish list of the criminals and seize the mousers available with anti-socials and liquor mafias to bring about improvement in the situation.                     

40 vehicles seized for illegal sand mining in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: In a joint raid by District Magistrate of Ganjam Dr Krishan Kumar and Ganjam Superintendent of Police Rajesh Pandit, forty vehicles were seized for illegal sand mining in the Rushikulya river bed in Ganjam on Saturday.

During the raid, 39 trucks and one tractor were engaged in sand mining illegally near Bhimapur Ghat of the Rushikulya under Purusottampur tehsil in the district. According to the district officials, the Ghat has not been auctioned till today, but the sand mafias are mining sand without the knowledge of the local administration.

On a tip-off, the Collector and the SP raided the site and seized the vehicles. After the raid, the vehicles were handed over to the Purusottampur tehsildar to take further action against their illegal activity.

The district administration has recovered Rs 25,000 per vehicle as fine for breaching the Odisha Mining Act. Total Rs 10 lakh fine was recovered from the culprits, officials informed.

Man attempts self immolation outside Ganjam collector’s grievance camp

BRAHMAPUR: Police arrested a man who was allegedly attempting self immolation outside the grievance camp of the district collector at the Sub-collectors office here on Saturday.

Suresh Sahu (45) of Belagaon under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s assembly constituency in Ganjam district attended the camp to place his grievance where he attempted self immolation by pouring petrol on himself and trying to set fire, police said.

Sahu has already attended six grievance camps in different cases, but this time he attempted suicide out of frustration due to lingering land-related disputes at Tikri under Kashipur tehsil in Rayagada district. Sahu had met the Chief Minister and informed about his sad stories. Later, he was settled at Hinjilikatu, sources said.

According to Ganjam Collector Dr Krishan Kumar, the man was provided house in Mo Kudia scheme, BPL rice, loan and land, yet the man is complaining again and again. This time Sahu told about Rayagada land dispute, we have forwarded his grievance to the Kashipur tehsildar in Rayagada district, the collector added.

On the other hand, Sahu complained that he did not get the house though that is in the website of district administration. Every time he gets assurance from the district administration, but he could not get solution of his problems.     

Following the attempt, the police arrested the man and forwarded to the court, said Baidyanathpur IIC Deepak Mishra. Although his wife and a ten-year-old daughter accompanied him, they did not attempt suicide with him, police said.

1 killed, 3 injured in Ganjam poll violence

BRAHMAPUR: Due to clash between two different political parties, one person died and another three were injured, one critically, at Dayapali village 15 km away from here under Hinjlikatu police station in Ganjam district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as S Pitambar. Critically injured B Pitambar along with other two injured persons was going under treatment in a hospital here.

Regarding election matter, two groups on Monday evening started fighting with each other which was later came to normal condition, but the collective anger turned violent on Tuesday morning. The defeated group in recently ended panchayat poll started attacking the rival group workers with swords and other sharp weapons.

During the violence, S Pitambar was killed on the spot. Male members of both the political parties have deserted the village apprehending police action. Ganjam police have deployed one platoon of police force to maintain law and order in the village.

Poll violence toll rises to two in Ganjam

BRAHMAPUR: Political rivalry caused violence took another toll in Dihapdhala village under Bhanjanagar block of Ganjam district on Friday. Following the murder of Lulu Gauda, son of a winning independent Sarapanch candidate Pramila Gauda, in a public place in a broad day light due to emergence of violence regarding the polling results, the second murder took place in the same village.

He was identified as Dandapani Bisoyee (58) of Dihapadhala village and father of Manoranjan Bisoyee who was the accused of Lulu Gauda murder case. The police sent the body for autopsy after recovering it from a paddy field near the village. The investigation is on.

Though the police are still in dark about the actual reason of the murder, it is suspected that the supporters of deceased Lulu killed Dandapani to take revenge of Lulu’s murder. The supporters had also attacked on accused Manoranjan’s house and ransacked the house on Thursday evening. Dandapani might be killed by the attackers while ransacking the house, sources said. The miscreants had used sharp weapon to kill Dandapani, the police revealed. 

 

It may be noted that the supporters of the independent candidate Pramila Gauda had burnt houses, rice mill and vehicles of the accused and blocked the road connecting Brahmapur-Bhanjanagar and Brahmapur-Phulbani on Thursday protesting Lulu’s murder. Situations became quite better after the main accused and mastermind of the murder Kulu Bhuyan arrested along with his associates. The police have arrested 14 people in connection with the first murder case till Friday evening.

Man kills son, daughter with wife in Badagada

BRAHMAPUR: A man killed his wife, son and daughter at Belapada village under Badagada police limit in Ganjam district here on Friday. He was identified as Simanchla Nayak. Due to family disturbances he killed his wife, 10 year old son and 12 year old daughter, the police said.

Simanchal had killed the trio brutally with the help of a sharp weapon. After an argument with his wife, he lost his mental balance and attacked his wife and later his children.

According to Badagada IIC Vivekananda Swain, the murderer was arrested and police recovered the sharp weapon used for killing. The investigation is on and the particular reasons of the murder yet to be disclosed.

Election violence in Ganjam villages

--One killed, five injured in different violence

BRAHMAPUR: Regarding election matter, violence took place in three different places including bombarding at Santoshpur under Ganjam block, scuffle at Pitatali village under Chikiti block and murder of newly elected Sarpanch’s son at Dihapadhal village under Bhanjanagar block in Ganjam district on Thursday. One was killed and five were injured in connection with the violence.

Election violence took a toll in Bhanjanagar block of Ganjam district on Thursday morning, when the opposition party people chopped Lulu Gauda, son of a winning independent Sarapanch candidate Pramila Gauda, in a public place in a broad day light due to emergence of violence regarding the polling results. He was rushed to the Bhanjanagar hospital and later referred to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. On the way to the medical, Lulu breathed his last.

Consequently supporters of the independent candidate have burnt houses, rice mill and vehicles of the accused and blocked the road connecting Brahmapur-Bhanjanagar and Brahmapur-Phulbani later. After arriving at Bhanjanagar, the Superintendent of Police of Brahmapur Safeen Ahmad has started investigation into the matter. Situations became quite better after the main accused and mastermind of the murder Kulu Bhuyan arrested along with his associates.

While, the second incident happened in Santoshpur under Ganjam block on Thursday, where three persons were injured after bombarding on eight houses and the injured persons rushed to the Chatrapur Sub-divisional hospital. Political animosity is the reason behind the incident, the police informed.

Similarly, another incident happened at Pitatali village under Golanthara police station, where two persons Prabhakar Reddy and K Damburu Reddy were beaten up by their opposition party people regarding election matter. Bombing was also taken place at the village, but none injured in the incident.       

On the day of third-phase polling for the PRI poll on Wednesday, bomb blasts and looting of polling boxes took place at many places emerged an unhealthy situation for the elections. Two persons were also injured by the attacks of culprits who have thrown the polling boxes in the well after looting it from three polling booths of Kudutai village under Jagarnnathprasad block in the district.

Similarly three have been injured in bomb blasts at Turumu panchayat when conflicts rose between two communities after the end of the polling process. As polling is not possible in some booths of Kudutai village re-polling will take place at those places.

3 Maoists arrested by Ganjam police

BRAHMAPUR: Ganjam police have arrested three hardcore Maoists, including two women cadres. Ganjam District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Pandit informed the arrested red rebels were members of Bhanjanagar-Chatisgarh division of the banned Maoist outfit. According to Pandit, the trio came with around 70 cadres led by one Maoist leader Appa Rao to Odisha.

They were identified as Malati Majhi (28) alias Lata, Telam Soni (22) alias Ratna (both women) and Kadame Bulu (19) alias Bija. Malati, who joined in the Maoists outfit in 2007, was from Bujuli under Daringibadi police station. She was organising meetings and motivating people to join their party. She was involved in Nayagada attack, Asurabandha dacoity case, landmine blast in different areas and other murder cases.

Ratna, who joined in the party two years back, was from Chatisgarh. She was also motivating the people to join their party. She was involved in an attack on CRPF jawans and salwajodum members. While Bija, the male cadre from Chatisgarh working for Bastar division, was an active member and also a motivator since 2008. He was involved in a landmine blast at Srirampur.

On February 1 this year also Ganjam police arrested three hardcore Maoists from Kandhamal district. The arrested red rebels were identified as Jaya Nayak, Biswanath Pradhan and Rabindranath, all residents of Ramnabadi under Daringibadi police station  in Kandhamal district.

Some Maoists revealed that the Chatisgarh Maoists are giving torture to the Odisha cadres as the internal crisis is going on between the cadres of the States. Meanwhile, senior Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda threatened to disrupt the election of the ongoing three-tier panchayati raj system if the police did not release the three cadres immediately.