Wednesday, February 11

Odisha

Mystery Deepens: Odisha Merchant Navy Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra Missing from Ship Near Mauritius
Odisha, State

Mystery Deepens: Odisha Merchant Navy Cadet Sarthak Mohapatra Missing from Ship Near Mauritius

Bhubaneswar: A shocking and mysterious incident has surfaced involving a young Merchant Navy cadet from Odisha, who has reportedly gone missing under unclear circumstances from a ship stationed near Mauritius. The disappearance of 23-year-old Sarthak Mohapatra, a resident of Bhadrak district, has triggered serious concern not only among his family and friends but also in political circles. The case has now gained statewide attention, with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik urging the Central Government to intervene immediately and ensure the cadet’s safe return. Disappearance Raises Alarming Questions According to the family, Sarthak was serving as a Deck Cadet on the vessel named “EA Jersey”, which is operated by the Anglo-Eastern Ship Management ...
Opposition Targets Odisha Collector Over Remarks at Official Function
Odisha, State

Opposition Targets Odisha Collector Over Remarks at Official Function

Bhubaneswar,:Subarnapur district collector Nruparaj Sahu has landed in controversy after allegedly making a political remark during an official event attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties. Addressing the ‘Subhadra Shakti Mela’ in Sonepur on Sunday, Sahu appeared to allude to a change in governance style following the formation of the BJP government in the state. In his speech, he said, “There was a time when the rulers adopted a ‘touch me not, speak me not, see me not’ culture. The present government has completely eradicated this culture.” Although the senior Odisha Administrative Service officer did not name any political party or individual, his remarks were widely perceived as a veiled criticism of the previous Biju ...
Five Killed, Six Injured in Odisha Road Accident; CM Majhi Expresses Grief
Odisha, Politics, State

Five Killed, Six Injured in Odisha Road Accident; CM Majhi Expresses Grief

Bhubaneswar, Jan 31:At least five people were killed and six others sustained critical injuries after a speeding truck ran over three two-wheelers on National Highway-16 in Odisha’s Ganjam district early Saturday, police said. The accident occurred at Haldiapadar, along the NH-16 stretch passing through Berhampur city. According to eyewitnesses, the truck was travelling on the wrong side of the highway when it rammed into three motorcycles in quick succession before crashing into a bridge. Police said the impact was severe, killing five persons on the spot, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where their condition is stated to be critical. Traffic on the busy highway was disrupted for some time following the accident. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep...
Four Detained After Mob Assault on Priest in Odisha, Allegedly Over Forced Conversion Claims
Odisha, State

Four Detained After Mob Assault on Priest in Odisha, Allegedly Over Forced Conversion Claims

Bhubaneswar: Police in Dhenkanal, Odisha, have taken four individuals into custody in connection with a mob attack on a local priest. The incident reportedly occurred on January 4, when the priest was conducting a prayer session at a private residence. According to the complaint filed by the priest’s wife, a crowd of 15–20 people attacked her husband, accusing him of forced religious conversion. During the assault, the priest was paraded through the village with vermilion smeared on his face and forced to wear a garland of shoes. The mob allegedly made him drink sewage water and bow in a temple as part of the attack. The priest’s wife stated that her husband had been invited to the house to offer prayers for the health of the residents, and denied all claims of forced conversion. She...
Toy Explosion in Chips Packet Injures 8-Year-Old, Eye Seriously Damaged
Odisha, State

Toy Explosion in Chips Packet Injures 8-Year-Old, Eye Seriously Damaged

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Parents are being warned to be extra cautious about small toys included in snack or chocolate packets, as these can pose serious hazards to children. In a shocking incident in Odisha, an eight-year-old boy lost vision in one eye after a toy inside a chips packet exploded. Incident DetailsThe incident occurred in Shagardghat village of Balangir district. Ankesh, an eight-year-old, had purchased a packet of chips on his way back from tuition. The packet contained a small toy. When he reached home, he began playing with the toy in the kitchen while his mother was cooking. Accidentally, the toy came into contact with a gas stove, causing it to explode violently. The blast was so intense that it injured Ankesh’s face severely, with doctors confirming that one of his eyes...
Chemical Attack on Four Students by Class 5 Boy Leaves Four Burnt in Odisha School
Odisha, State

Chemical Attack on Four Students by Class 5 Boy Leaves Four Burnt in Odisha School

RAYAGADA, Odisha: A chilling incident has come to light from Rayagada district, where a fifth-grade student allegedly threw a chemical on four seventh-grade students, causing severe burns. The incident occurred when the students were reportedly experimenting with a flammable substance. The chemical caused a fire, severely burning the students, and one of them is in critical condition. The IncidentThe horrific event took place near a government school in the Muniguda police station area. The affected students were conducting an experiment involving a chemical, believed to be thinner, when the fire broke out. The victims, who sustained severe burns, have been hospitalized, with one child’s condition described as critical. The parents of the students have accused the fifth-grade boy of thr...
Odisha Government Bans New Year Celebrations in Official Offices
Odisha, State

Odisha Government Bans New Year Celebrations in Official Offices

Bhubaneswar:The Odisha government has imposed a strict ban on New Year celebrations in all government offices across the state, declaring January 1 a regular working day with no scope for parties, feasts, or official festivities. The directive, issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), has sparked sharp political reactions from opposition parties BJD and Congress. According to the CMO order, apart from exchanging personal greetings, no form of celebration—including meetings, feasts, cake-cutting, or social gatherings—will be permitted within government offices. Heads of all departments have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the directive. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended New Year greetings to the public but made it clear that official functioning should no...
Odisha: Ninth-Grade Student Murdered at Kalinga Institute, Administration Initially Cites Cardiac Arrest; Police Arrest Staff and Students
Odisha, State

Odisha: Ninth-Grade Student Murdered at Kalinga Institute, Administration Initially Cites Cardiac Arrest; Police Arrest Staff and Students

In a shocking revelation from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the body of a ninth-grade student was found at the Kalinga Institute, initially reported by the administration as a result of cardiac arrest. However, police investigations have exposed a chilling truth: the student was murdered. Several staff members and students have been arrested in connection with the case. Police Investigation Uncovers Murder The Bhubaneswar police revealed that the deceased, a resident of Khurjar, was allegedly attacked by a group of fellow students on the night of 11 December following a fight in the hostel. The students reportedly strangled him in the washroom. Three underage students have been taken into custody and presented before the Juvenile Justice Board. The police also arrested eight institute staf...
‘Team Rahul’ vs ‘Team Priyanka’: Former Odisha MLA Writes to Sonia Gandhi, BJP Flags Internal Rift in Congress
Odisha, State

‘Team Rahul’ vs ‘Team Priyanka’: Former Odisha MLA Writes to Sonia Gandhi, BJP Flags Internal Rift in Congress

Cuttack, Odisha – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that an internal clash within the Congress Party between “Team Rahul” and “Team Priyanka” has now surfaced openly. This allegation comes after former Odisha Congress MLA Mohammad Mokweem wrote a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, demanding the removal of Mallikarjun Kharge from his post. Call for Leadership ChangeIn his letter, Mokweem argued that Kharge’s age, 83 years, is no longer suitable for leading the party and suggested that younger leaders, such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, should take a more prominent role. The BJP has seized on this development, calling it evidence of growing divisions within Congress. BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala tweeted that “Team Priyanka vs Team Rahul has now come out in the open...
Odisha’s BJD Faces Political Crisis: Can 79-Year-Old Naveen Patnaik Stop BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’?
Odisha, Politics, State

Odisha’s BJD Faces Political Crisis: Can 79-Year-Old Naveen Patnaik Stop BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’?

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha is facing growing political instability as the party struggles to retain its leaders and cadre in the face of mounting pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following setbacks in recent elections, including the Nuapada bypoll, the exodus of district- and block-level leaders has intensified, raising questions about the party’s long-term viability. BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’ and Party Defections BJD leaders allege that the BJP is running ‘Operation Lotus’, attempting to lure party members into its fold ahead of upcoming panchayat elections. According to party sources, state funds are being strategically withheld to push local leaders toward BJP allegiance. BJP MLA Vibhuti Pradhan has claimed that the BJD has been in crisis since its defeat in ...