Puri: The Puri Special Squad and Talabania police today arrested five dreaded criminals and 3 guns, 10 rounds of live ammunition and other sharp weapons seized from their possession.
The arrested persons were identified as most wanted Manua Mohanty, Soumyaranjan Biswal of Jagatsinghpur,Milan Mishra of Raghupati Nagar, Deepak Suar of Suar Sahi and Nilu Barik of Markendeswar Sahi.
For the past 29 days, the intelligence department of Odisha was monitoring Manua’s movements. Meanwhile, Manua was changing his location frequently.
The police are planning to crack down on the crime happenings near Puri and nearby areas. The operation against the criminals will continue, informs Puri SP Vishal Singh.
Bhubaneswar: Tension prevailed on the premises of Maharaja Cinema Hall between two groups on Saturday night.
Report says, two groups had come to watch a movie at Maharaja cinema hall. They had an intense argument regrading car parking and later it turned to a physical altercation.
As per the video, a girl was seen sitting on top of the car bonnet and started hitting it. A youth who was along with the girl broke the windows of the car.Later, the opponent group then dragged the girl down from the car and had physical fight.
Following which, a large number of people who had come to watch movie gathered at the spot for nearly half an hour
On getting information, police rushed to the spot and detained several members of both the groups.
The Odisha government on Sunday lifted a curfew during daytime and withdrew a ban on internet services in Sambalpur city which had recently witnessed violence during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, an official said. Internet services were fully restored after 10 days, while the administration relaxed the curfew from 5 am to 8 pm, he said.
These decisions were taken after “significant improvement of the law and order situation” in the Western Odisha city, the Sambalpur district official said. Internet services were suspended on April 13, while the curfew was imposed the next day in the wake of a clash between two groups during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.
Later, broadband and leased internet services were resumed between 10 am and 5 pm, but the suspension of mobile internet was extended till April 22. The administration had also come out with a toll-free number for the public to report “circulation of inappropriate messages or posts carrying hatred speech or false news”.The western Odisha city had witnessed a clash between two communities during a motorcycle rally in the run-up to the Hanuman Jayanti on April 14. As the clash spilled over to the streets, many vehicles were damaged and some shops were set on fire. A total of ten police personnel and around 12 Hanuman Jayanti coordination committee members, were injured in a stone pelting incident during the clash.
The police arrested over 100 people in connection with violence and the killing of a tribal youth on Hanuman Jayanti day. Meanwhile, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations passed off peacefully on Saturday in Sambalpur, amid tight security arrangements and intensified patrolling across the city.
Mass prayers were not allowed in Sambalpur this year due to the violence that took place during Hanuman Jayanti processions on April 12 and 14. People offered prayers at 10 different mosques in Sambalpur in smaller batches. Bargarh’s BJP MP Suresh Pujari said members of the National Commission of ST are scheduled to visit Sambalpur on Monday and meet the family members of the deceased tribal.
Earlier, the district administration had not allowed a delegation of BJP MPs and MLAs, including Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu, to visit the village of the deceased. The Odisha unit of BJP, in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has sought a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the clash during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.
Bhubaneswar: As many as 24 MoUs in various sectors were signed during the 3-day Odisha Skill Conclave 2023 which concluded on Saturday.
The MoUs were signed between the state government and reputed organisations including ITE Education Services – Singapore, Schneider Electric Foundation, Philips Machine Tools, Mitutoyo South Asia, Drone Federation of India, Festo, Coursera, ISB and others.
Some of the key topics that were discussed during the conclave include diversity and inclusion, sector specific skilling, importance of internships and apprenticeship, role of up-and-coming technologies such as AI, robotics, etc. The discussions also revolved around the growing importance of gender empowerment and equality in skilling, and role of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).
Experts across sectors such as energy, education, infrastructure, oil & gas, technology, among others showcased the avenues for employment. Corporate representatives from TATA, Larsen & Tubro, Bharat Petroleum, Schindler, Maruti Suzuki, among others highlighted the key areas that ensure employability for skilled workforce.
Overall, the event saw participation from around 2,000 students, 360 teachers, 60 role models, 25 students from Singapore and 100 high level dignitaries including speakers across sectors.
The conclave was hosted by the state government, Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI).
Bhubaneswar: The daily COVID caseload in Odisha breached the 500-mark with 502 of 6,616 samples testing positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, the state health department informed on Sunday.
While the test positivity rate (TPR) has surged to 7.5%, Odisha now has 2,926 active cases.
This came amid a sharp fall in new infections in India, which logged 10,112 cases against 12193 the previous day.
Odisha had reported 489 fresh cases on Saturday and 387 and 431 infections on Thursday and Friday respectively, 377 on Wednesday while the daily caseloads on Tuesday and Monday were 269 and 268 respectively.
Between April 16 and April 22, Sambalpur recorded a weekly TPR of 48.03% followed by 25% in Sonepur, 20.99% in Sundargarh, 14.10% in Kalahandi and 13.94% in Nuapada, according to data shared by the Health Ministry.
The state has been witnessing a steady rise in the number of patients complaining of high fever and soar throat. Since most of those being screened are testing positive for COVID, the health experts suspect that others with similar symptoms might also be infected with coronavirus.
Amid a a spurt in cases in two bordering blocks of Nabarangpur in last two weeks, the Odisha government on Friday asked officials of districts bordering Chhattisgarh to keep a track on people coming from the neighbouring state and test them for COVID-19 if they show symptoms. A team of health officials led by Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra also visited Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangapur to review the preparedness.
The state has so far reported 3 deaths due to COVID this year.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has upgraded Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 to a COVID-19 “variant of interest” (VOI) due to its “sustained increase” and “growth advantage” reported from several countries.
Bhubaneswar: On the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday inaugurated the office of ruling party, aptly named Sankha Bhavan, at Unit-6 area in Odisha capital.
Sankha (conch) is BJD’s election symbol.
Dedicating the building to its 4.5 crore denizens, the CM said that Sankha Bhawan will be a confluence point for all those striving for development of the state and protecting it dignity while building a new and empowered Odisha. “This will unite 4.5 crore people of the state. All the programmes of Shankha Bhawan will be dedicated to people of Odisha and aimed at protecting the interest of the state.”
He further said that 1997 heralded a new era in Odisha politics with the formation of BJD by following the principles of legendary Biju Patnaik. The party, which served the people of Odisha, has now been transformed into a social movement, he added.
Naveen said that Shankha Bhavan will not only be the centre of social, economic, cultural, and political progress, but also spiritual growth rooted in the principle of Jagannath culture. “It will continue to spread Jagannath culture across the globe while sending out the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
He attributed BJD’s success to consistency and peaceful disposition. “Righteousness has led to joy and peace to prosperity ,” he said, spelling out the success mantra of the party.
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience an increase in thunderstorm activity with lightning accompanied by rain, isolated hail, heavy rain and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph during the next 2 -3 days, the India Meteorological Department informed on Sunday.
Orange alert has been issued for some places in Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Boudh, Ganjam, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal and Angul districts, which may witness thunderstorm with lightning, hail and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph till 8.30 am on Monday.
The IMD has also sounded yellow alert for thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph at one or two places in Balasore, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Boudh, Nabarangpur and Nuapada. The rest districts may also experience thunderstorm and lightning.
Light to moderate rain or thunderstorm is also likely at many places in South Odisha, North Coastal Odisha and at a few places in the remaining parts of the state during this period.
The orange warning continues for another 24 hours with thunderstorm with lightning, hail and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph and heavy rainfall at one or two places in Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore. Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph is also likely at one or two places in Jagatsinghpur, Khurdha, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati Angul, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Balangir, Sonepur and Boudh. There is also a forecast for light to moderate rain for the entire state.
On April 25, yellow warning for thunderstorm with lightning and gusty surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph has been issued for one or two places in Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir, Sonepur, Nabarangpur and Nuapada. Light to moderate rain or thunderstorm is also likely at many places in North Odisha, South Coastal Odisha and at a few places in interior districts of South Odisha.
Though yellow warning continues for another two days, there will be a decrease in the thunderstorm activity.
Bhubaneswar: After reported disappearance of two files of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) triggered a row, the Odisha government clarified that both the files and have been traced.
Putting an end to speculations, Law department principal secretary Dhaneswar Mallick said the files were not traceable and directions were issued to find them. “It is clarified that the files have been found,” he said in a statement.
Official sources said that both the files had got mixed up with other routine files for which it was difficult to trace them. Earlier, the matter relating to the untraceable files came to the fore after a deputy secretary of the department wrote to all the sections under it to locate those two files on a priority basis.
The files will be reportedly used for compliance with an order of the Orissa High Court. The department letter read, “Two files of JTA Section bearing No. JTA-55/2006(pt) and JTA-06/2014 are untraceable in the records of JTA Section. Therefore, it is hereby requested to all sections of this Department to conduct search operation in their records on a priority basis and submit the said files, if available, to JTA Section immediately for compliance with the order of the High Court.”
It may be noted here that the opposition political parties and others had launched a scathing attack on the state government over the issue accusing it of neglecting matters relating to Lord Jagannath.
Opposition BJP had lodged a complaint at the Capital police station in Bhubaneswar on Friday regarding the two files going untraceable.
Bhubaneswar: The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated with great pomp across Odisha on Saturday aimd special prayers at mosques and eidgah across the state.
People greeted each other after the prayers and took part in the festivities. The main markets of the state capital Bhubaneswar and other places saw brisk shopping for the festival.
However, there was no mass prayers at Eidgah in Sambalpur on the occasion of ‘Eid-ul-fitr with curfew restrictions still in force in the western Odisha town after the April 12 and 14 violence.
Members of the minority community agreed not to congregate at the Eidgah for namaz this year as the situation continues to remain volatile, on the request of the district administration. The community decided to offer namaz separately at 10 mosques across the town.
Tight security arrangements were also made in Sambapur where 46 platoons of police force were deployed to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incident, sources said.
Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and a host of political leaders extended greetings to the people on the occasion.
Taking to Twitter, the Governor wished the people “Eid Mubarak” and hoped that the festival will spread the spirit of togetherness, harmony and peace for all.
“Warm greetings to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr. May Allah bring happiness, prosperity & peace in our lives and lead us on the path of compassion and love,” the Chief Minister tweeted
Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the globe to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. Ramzan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic belief.
In Sambalpur, patrolling was intensified across the city apart from heavy deployment of police force. Police personnel in strength were deployed at every mosque. Notably, over 5,000 members of the Muslim community assemble to offer namaz at the Eidgah in Sakhipara area every year during Eid-al-fitr.
Bhubaneswar: Mounting a stinging attack on the BJD government in Odisha over law and order situation, BJP on Saturday raised questions on reports about dreaded Uttar Pradesh criminal and Atiq Ahmed’s absconding aide Guddu Muslim’s presence in the state.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, BJP state general secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar sought to know as to what the state police and the intelligence wing are doing.
Referring to UP Special Task Force (STF) team’s reported visit to Bargarh, she pointed fingers at senior ruling BJD leader and former minister Susanta Singh.
The senior BJP leader claimed that Raja Khan, a close aide of dread Guddu Muslim, is stated to be an associate of Bhatli Susanta Singh. Raja Khan also hails from Bhatli in Bargarh district and has spread a crime network in the region, she alleged.
Guddu Muslim, considered a close aide of slain gangster Atiq Ahmed, has been absconding ever since the gunning down of the gangster-turned-politician and his brother Ashraf last week.
Guddu Muslim is now in the news after several national media reports stated that he was reportedly hiding in Odisha’s Puri.
Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF), which is currently on the hunt Guddu Muslim, reportedly questioned one person at Bhatli in connection with the case. Sources identified the person as Raja Khan and it is being said that Guddu Muslim’s driver had stayed with him for some days in Bargarh after the Prayagraj incident. A native of Sundargarh, Raja Khan has been doing leather business at Bhatli. He was let off by the STF after grilling on Thursday, the sources added.
A five-member team visited Bargarh on April 18. The team camped in Bargarh for two days and grilled one person.
The senior BJP leader further claimed that notorious criminal Guddu Muslim was reportedly hiding in Puri and sought to know as to what Odisha Police was doing. This is a clear failure of intelligence and policing in the state, she alleged.
Samantsinghar also slammed the state government over the Lanjigarh gang-rape case in Kalahandi district and claimed that it took four days for police to register a case in this connection. Though seven days have passed, the police are yet to nab the accused, she claimed, adding that a girl was also raped in a hotel in Cuttack and all these show that criminals have no fear of the police in Odisha
Alleging that several ministers in the state are involved in criminal cases, the BJP leader claimed that police have taken no action against them and sought to know as to what happened to the Chief Minister’s slogan of zero tolerance towards criminals.
