hooch tragedy: organic pesticide was root-cause: doctor confirmed

Organic pesticide was possibly mixed with the liquor that was consumed by the victims of the hooch tragedy occurred on Friday in Bolangir district that took the lives of 7 people. It was apprehended that liquor became poisonous with organic-pesticide causing severe damage to the livers. This was revealed from the Primary examination of the doctors at VSS medical College Hospital of Burla where 6 victims were admitted soon after the incident.
“We tried to administer methyl-alcohol to the victims in order to get their speedy recovery. But when it did not work we examined further and found organic pesticide in the liquor they consumed. We apprehended that organic pesticide was mixed with the liquor to increase its toxicity”, the superintendent of the VSS Medical Hospital Dr. Guna Sagar Dash told on Saturday.
According to him 6 of the victims, admitted in the Hospital at Burla soon after the incident are in critical condition because of the organic pesticide. However 4 victims are slowly improving because of their positive response to the treatment. “When 4 victims are responding to our treatment another 2 are still in critical condition”, Dr. G S Dash told.
It may be mentioned here that in a hooch tragedy 7 persons including 2 females were died in Gondpali under Agalpur police station of Bolangir on Friday. Another 6 victims were brought to the VSS medical College Hospital in critical condition soon after the incident.
Meanwhile, the administration of nearby Baragarh and Sambalpur districts seemed to have awakened from a long sleep after the Bolangir hooch tragedy. While the boarder of the Bolangir and Bargarh was sealed by the police with series of raids in the bordering villages to check the smuggling of spurious liquor, Sambalpur police circulated red alert in the district on Friday evening. The Sambalpur police have raided as many 14 places and seized huge amount of spurious liquor. The police have also registered as many as 14 cases under ‘excise act’ and arrested 14 persons involved in the illegal trade. ”We alerted all police stations of the district and raided various places under the direct supervision of the SP Sanjay Kumar. We arrested 14 people involved in the illicit liquor trade in various police stations. We forwarded them to the judicial custody on Saturday under state excise act” , the DSP( crime) Dinabandhu Patel said.

Hirakud reservoir : water scarciry affacts power genration

As the water level of the Hirakud dam reservoir has gone further down because of the dry weather it puts a direct effect on the power generation and irrigation. The dam officials apprehend a total grind halt incase the situation persists for few more days. One can imagine the condition of the country’s biggest reservoir has only 5 feet of water with a generation of 17 MW of electricity in place of total 307 MW. When the dam officials blame the dry weather as the cause of the condition, activists claim it as an outcome of the of the government water sharing policy with the industrial houses.

Sources said, the Hirakud dam has a capacity of 40 feet water with in an area 743 sq. km with having power generation capacity of 307. MW. But presently the situation has been alarming as the dam has only 5 feet of water forcing the authority to cut down power generation. The control room sources revealed that only 17.958 MW has been generated in Burla power house over the past one week as there is severe scarcity of water in the dam reservoir.

“Since our priority job is to supply water for the irrigation we have cut down the power generation looking to the scarcity of water. We successfully managed every thing with the existing water till date. But if the situation remains unchanged for few days more it would be difficult for us run the water management smoothly”, the superintending engineer of Hirakud Dam Project JB Moahapatra told.

Sources said, about 7496 cusec of water is being discharged from the reservoir to maintain the irrigation and power generation against the inflow of 671 cusec. So there is a deficit of water every moment. At present the water level of the reservoir is slight high to 595 feet, just 5 feet away from the dead-level.. Dam authority supply 3000 cusec of water to Bargarh Canal, 630 cusec to through Sasan canal for irrigation and 102 cuses to Sambalpur and 7 cusec to Hirakud. But nothing will be possible for the dam authority in case the water level touches the dead level of 590.

However the dam experts and social activists believe that sharing dam water to the industrial houses is the outcome of such a situation. “Such a situation was never occurred in the past. You can not always depend on the rain in the catchments area in the non-monsoon period. Some time it happens. But such a situation will always arise till industries are allowed to take water directly from the reservoir”, the former chief engineer Karunakar Supakar told.

“The main purpose behind the construction of the dam was flood control, irrigation and power generation. Water to industries was never a purpose. So if government feels the necessity of sharing water to the industries than government should give direction to the industrial houses to take water during rainy seasons and preserve it in there respective places. They should have there own reservoir to store water”, Mr. Supakar told.

On the other hand Dam official does not see any threat with the sharing of water with the industrial houses. “See industrial houses are presently taking 80 to 90 cusec water in place of 486 cusec as decided by the government. The major set back was occurred this year that we did not get a single drop of water since 17^th September 2008 to till date as there is no rain in the catchments area of the reservoir.”, Superintending Engineer Hirakud dam, Mr. Mohapatra told.

Meanwhile the scarcity of water in reservoir has become a treat on the flora and fauna that was depending in the reservoir water.

Exemplary step: LIC settled policy of slain cop on media reports

Settliing death-claim policy belongs to slain cop Narasingh Bhoi with in a short span of one week of the his death, LIC of India has set a new example in the insurance history. The chaque of Rs. 2 lakhs as the claim money has already been handed over to the widow Subasini Mahakud in their native Champamal village under Birmaharajpur police station of Sonepur district recently. When the family members are busy in completing the scheduled-marraige of the decased's daughter, the act of the Sambalpur division of LIC has appreciated by the people. “Normally death-claim are settled after verifying the death certificate and other related documents of the policy holder. But in this particular case we did it purely on the basis of media reports”, the development officer Sapan Mishra told.

Sources said, slain police officer Narasingh Bhoi had a LIC policy under ‘New Bimagold’ that was opened just few months back on 11^th March this year. But after the death of the officer, LIC took a decision to settle the claim immediately as a mark of the deceased brave contribution to the society and to pay respect to the deceased’s family . With out verifying any documents LIC disbursed the money on the basis of the new clipings and reports “This will definitely encourage the police and security personnel posted in risk area”, divisional Manager of the LIC of India Sambalpur division Mr. Nitai Dhal told
it may be mentioned here that the policy was done by the slain sub-inspector on the persuation of the local agent Prasanta Sahu.

Brusav Buda : a traditional retual to invite rain

You may call it a belief or a part of superstition but when you are left with no option you have to go for it. When the temperature of Sambalpur has gone up to 46 Celsius during the end of June with no hope of rain, people are forced to rely of the age-old custom what is called as ‘Brusav Buda’. According to Hindu Mythology this is performed on the 2^nd day of Ashadha (Car festival day) in order to bring rain to the earth. Eminent citizens of the town’s oldest part-Jharuapara have performed the rituals of ‘Brusav Buda’ on Wednesday after taking an idol of Brusav in a street procession. The Brusav was finally dropped in deep-water in River Mahanadi with the help of a boat.“We believe that god of rain (Indra) appears immediately to save Brusav (chauffer of lord Shiva) after hearing his request and rain starts after words. But we performed this when the situation becomes alarming. This year when we see no symptom of rain till the end of June we decided to do this ritual. Normal life of the people in Sambalpur has come miserable because of high temperature and water scarcity. So in order to rescue the people we have followed this old tradition”, senior citizen and chairman of Brahmapura temple trust Mr. C R Panda told.

Sources said, the same ritual was performed in the year 1987 by the people of same Jharuapara under the aegis of late Nimai Charan Mishra when people did not see any hope of rain. Continues drizzling for 15 days with in 24 hours of the rituals made every one surprised. “I can not say any scientific reason behind this theory but it all depends on the faith and believe of the people. Some time thing happens against all odds”, senior political figure of Sambalpur Benibhuj Sahu told.

A replica of marble-made brusav was brought from the Loknath Baba temple of the Jharuapara in the morning and after street procession, devotees took it in a boat in the River Mahanadi and dropped it in the deep-water. “Performing all rituals we took the brusav in a street procession and later it was dropped in the river Mahanadi water. I have taken part in the ceremony only to pay respect to faith of the people” young councilor and social activists Saroj Dalpat told. “I was thrilled to participate in the rituals I believe something miracle will definitely happen after this rituals”, 70 years old devotee Kausalya Panda told. Sources said, Sambalpur becomes the hottest town of the country with 46.4 degree Celsius on Monday and 46.2 degree Celsius on Tuesday resulting a miserable condition in the normal living of the people. with such a high temperature become unbearable, people of Jharuapara have taken this decision to perform such a retual to bring rain to the earth.

power-cut citing less production makes the living misurable

Imagine the condition of a regular power failure when the temperature remains above 44 degrees Celsius. This is what exactly people of Sambalpur are now experiencing in mid-June due to exceptional delay in monsoon. Acute shortage of drinking water adds to their miseries. When environmental activists believes this is a part of the effect of the global warming and an outcome of the blind industrialization that has taken place over the past few years, common people think it due to the anger of the rain of god. But what ever the reason might be, it is the common people who suffer in such a salutation.

Sources said, regular power failure in the city has become a regular phenomenon over a period past one month and the town remains in darkness for more than 3 hours every day with out any prior declaration. More over there is no fixed timing and it is done at the mercy of the wesco, the power supply company. When the officials asked on duty do not give any satisfactory reply to their act. “We are forced to slash power supply there is a shortage in power production. We do not get power as per our demand so decision has been taken to cut power for one hour in every area to adjust the supply demand ratio”, the executive engineer (WESCO) SK Darji told.
Sources said, Sambalpur has a demand of 62 MW in the peak hours, but due to shortage in power production in Hirakud and Kaniha, the supply has been restricted to 40 MW. The rest 22 MW has been adjusted through power cut during peak hour. Though there is a decision at official level to restrict the power cut for a hour only but in practical it become more than 2 to 3 hours every day. Some time it becomes more than 3 hours in some places. On the other hand power generation in Hirakud has effected drastically because of the acute water shortage. It produces only 10 MW in place of 254 MW. “We have fixed a time for the power cut for each area but some time it is difficult to maintain because of the disparity in distribution power. We act as per the instruction of the Gridco which distributes the power in the state”, Mr. Darji added.

On the other hand, the temperature remains as high as 44 degree Celsius in Sambalpur over past one week. When the temperature was 45 degree on Wednesday, it remained 44.8 on Thursday. On Friday the temperature was recorded as 44.6 degree and Saturday it remained at 44.0 degree Celsius, sources said. To add to the apathy there is also a shortage of drinking water in the town. “We are suffering from the acute shortage of drinking water because of the regular power failure. If this condition persists for few more days than it would be difficult for the people to live”, councilor Ashok Soni told.

However environmentalist and activist Ranjan panda described that global warming has an effect on the delay in monsoon. “As we do not have a hand in the monsoon we better wait for it.”, Panda said. “But what is in our hand is ‘balancing the temperature’ by preserving nature. But it does not happen because of the blind industrialization. The temperature in industrial belt has gone us drastically”, Ranjan Panda added. But these mean nothings to the common men who pray the rain of god ‘Indra” for an early rain.

Bishikeshan backs to normalcy

Another couple of months and Bishikesan will be released from the hospital. He will back to his parents to lead a life of normal human being. Though it may take years to heal the trauma that he suffered for long 18 years because of his lunatic condition but he redeems normalcy because of his good luck. Timely release of funds by the district collector and treatment of doctors at mental wing of VSS Medical College Hospital would help an old couple to get back their only son in a normal condition. But it all happened because of his response of the treatment. Even doctors believe that chances of recovery in such cases depend on patient’s response to the treatment.
“This case was a big challenge for us. But we were never hopeless. But his response to our treatment was amazing and that helps him to improve speedily”, Dr. NM Rath, HOD of the mental wing of VSS medical college and hospital told.
According to Dr. Rath hundreds of patients come to the hospital for treatment. But those who response to the treatment, they recover speedily. “Many patients come for treatment. Bishikesan is also one among them. But his luck helps him to cure because of his response to the medicine. we have noticed a big change in his behavior. He has become quite normal and helps our staff in gardening and watering” Dr. Rath added. However he said chances of recovery become brighter incase treatment starts at the beginning stage of insanity, but Bishikesan is an exception.
Bishikesan was quite normal in his early days. He played with others and went to school with his mates in his native Laijhar village, a remote village under Jamenkira police station of the district, 45 km from here. The actual story starts when he was 15 years. Nobody remembers want happens than but he develops such a mental problem which changed his entire lifestyle.
“He started behaving unusual and pelting stones to the co villagers. Initially we took him to doctors for treatment and took the help of local gunia (tantric). But when we saw no changes we thought to get him married”, 65 years old father Biranchi Dhurua told recalling the early days.
The bride took no time to desert him after she came to know about the abnormal behavior of her husband. But this put a drastic effect on him and he became violent. And the parents chained him and kept inside a room. For 18 years he remained inside the room like a domestic animal. “Even after marriage when he continued to show abnormal behavior the newly bride did not stay and left the house. His violent behavior left with no other choice than to him inside the house”, Biranchi told.
But it is his old mother who believes that god has finally heard her pray. “I was always praying the god to recover him before my death. God has listened my prayer so now I can die happily” mother Debaki Dhurua, told.

police paid homage to the slain driver Sukanta Sahu

Senior officials of police and administration along with common citizens of the town gathered near Saheed pillar in Sambalpur on early hours of Saturday to pay homage to the body of slain driver Sukanta Sahu that died in a landmine blast in Koraput on Thursday while he was performing his official duty. Police also gave gun salute to the slain soldier soon the body was reached Samablpur in a decorated vehicle. Later it was taken to his native village Bandhapali for his last rituals.

“It was a sad moment for his family members as they have lost their son. But he remained as a hero in the police record.”, the IG of police Mr. YB Khurania told while paying tribute to the deceased body.

“We paid homage with gun salute to the departed sole soon the body of Sukanta reached to Sambalpur. IG of police Mr. YB Khurania and collector P K Patnaik saluted the departed sole acknowledging his service to the department”, the DSP (sambalpur) Dinabandhu Patel told.

Sources said, Sukanta Sahu (23), a native of Bandhapali village under Jamenkira police station 75 km from here had joined the state police department in APR force just a year back and posted in Koraput district. He was killed in a landmine blast near Palur of Koraput district on Thursday on his way to Narayanpatna. He along with 8 others security personnel sitting in the vehicle got killed.

Sukanta’s dead body was sent in a decorated police vehicle to his native district Sambalpur.

The body was kept near Saheed pillar where rich tribute was paid by the people of various walks of life. Police personnel gave gun salute to the departed sole. Later it was taken to his native Bandhapali village where cremation was taken place in a grief-stricken atmosphere. Thousands of people of the surrounding villages gathered in the village to pay respect to the late soldier. The villagers gave heroic farewell with tears to the brave youth. “I am very sorry for losing a friend like him. I feel lonely after his death”, cousin and friend Dipan Sahu told.

Earlier Sukanta Sahu had talked to his family over phone one day before the incident

He was quite happy on previous day during his 30 minutes talk with his family members over cell phone. He had requested his parent not to worry for him as he was quite safe in his service place. He even disclosed his desire to come back soon to his home. But he would never back as he died in powerful landmines at Narayanpatna on Thursday morning that crushed the vehicle he was driving killing all 10 members boarded in the vehicle. Entire village remained stunt when the news aired television set.

“I was shocked to hear the news in the television set. I did not believe it and immediately rang him. But when I did not get any reply I became sad,”Hrudananda Sahu, father of the deceased driver Sukant sahu told,. “He talked to me over phone just in the previous night and was telling that they remained in Palur as they could to go to Narayanpanta because of the obstruction of road by the Maoist by cutting trees on the road. But he assured me to come back soon and I should not worry for him”, Hrudanada described in a broken heart.

Sukanta Sahu (23), a native of Bandhapali village under Jamenkira police station 75 km from here had joined the state police department in APR force just a year back. Completing graduation from Sungergarh College Sukanta did computer hardware course in Bhubaneswar before he joined the force as driver. He came to his village in February last to attend the marriage ceremony of his elder brother Ramakanta. Out of 5 brothers and sisters Sukanta was 2^nd in the family. “He always remains happy because of his cheerful personality. I lost a great friend of me after his death”, Depan, cousin of Sukanta told.

After the marriage of Ramakanta it was his turn. But he had told me to wait for sometime. When I never harm to any one why god punished me in such a way”, Sukanta’s mother Sauki said crying loudly.

Sukanta was driving a police vehicle taking 9 security personnel to Narayanpatna when a powerful landmine exploded killing every one of the vehicle on Thursday morning near Palur 95 km from Keroput town.

tusker trampled : news man himself became a news

In a bizarre incident, wild tusker trampled a young scriber in Goudpali on Friday afternoon in Gourpali area under Jamenkira police station of the district. The incident took place when the scriber of a local daily was trying to take snaps of an injured tusker in proximity. He died on the way to hospital. The Jamenkira police registered an UD case and sent the body for post mortem.

Police sources said, Prakash Nath of Kharsenmal village of the district, working in a local daily, had been to the Ghusuramal jungle to take snap of an injured elephant that was trapped in a trench. During the course of taking snaps when he was closer, the tusker suddenly annoyed and crushed him with its trunk. The local villagers rescued him and trying to take to the hospital but on the way to hospital he breathed his last. “We sent the body for autopsy and registered a case of unnatural death”, RB Panigrahi, SDPO (Kuchinda) told. Sources said, deceased left behind his widow and two school going sons and daughter. This has created a gloomy atmosphere in the media circle here.

bad marking in plus 2 shattered the hope of a girl

Imagine the condition of a poor-father whose only daughter succeeded in getting good rank in the joint entrance examination of both medical and engineering but unable to peruse her studies because she was declared failed in the plus 2 science examination. Blaming the council of higher secondary education for poor marking, the unlucky father has applied for rechecking of the mark of his daughter.
Surprisingly, Mamta Sipka, daughter of a 4th grade employee of state government has got only one mark in Botany and 5 marks in Chemistry subject and declared failed in plus 2 examination. The poor marking has shattered her hope of higher studies in professional courses.
“It all happened because of the negligent attitude of the council of Higher education. I have already applied for rechecking of her marks and I am sure that there is a mistake in correction of answer paper”, Aiba Sipka, father of the student alleged.
Sources said, Mamta belongs to SC category secured the rank of 223 in engineering and 530 in Pharmacy of the Orissa joint entrance examination 2009. But despite of getting good rank in joint entrance she remained unhappy as because of her poor result in plus 2 examination. To her utter surprise in Botany she got only a single mark. In Chemistry she was given 5 marks and in zoology 7 marks. In other subjects also she did not get marks as per her expectation. She got a total of 177 marks out of 600. “I was hoping for a first division as I did well in almost all papers. It really surprised me when I saw the mark-sheet.”, Mamta said in a state of disbelief.
Despite the poor financial condition, father Sipka supported her in pursing higher studies after she secured first division in Matriculation. She was also doing well in her studies in college. Her position in the college speaks from the marks she has secured in the practical examinations. She has got 13 marks out of 15 in Botany and 20 out of 30 in chemistry. “She is a good student and doing well in her studies. But I feel very sad when I learnt this”, a lecturer of GM junior college Umakanta Sethi told. However it is difficult to say any thing with out see her answer papers, Mr. Sethi added.

accident mars the drream of a teacher

The happiness of becoming a government school teacher did not last long as he was killed in an accident soon after his joining in the government boys’ high school Burla on Wednesday. The accident that occurred when the motor bike collided heads on with a car coming from the opposite side at Sriram-vihar near university campus, 15 km away from here, also took the life of his colleague coming along with him to share his happy moment. The Burla police registered a case and arrested the car driver.
Police sources said, deceased identified as Mahesh Prasad Biswal (25) of Attabira was appointed as teacher in government Boys high School Burla. He came on Wednesday to join his service. Earlier he was working in a private school of Attabira. He along with his previous school’s colleague Giridhari Pradhan was returning from Burla on a motor cycle after his joining in the new job. They were thinking to celebrate the occasion but the fate was some thing else for them. When they were passing through the Sambalpur University, a car coming from the opposite side dashed their bike killing Mahesh on the spot. Giridhari, who was severely injured in the accident, succumbed at VSS Medical College Hospital soon he was admitted. Police rushed to the spot and arrested the car driver Binod Jain. “We arrest the driver of the car and seized the vehicle. A case has been registered and handed over the dead bodies to their family after conducting autopsy”, B K Nayak, the inspector of Burla police station told.

male staff feels insecure under female officer

The ministerial staffs of Sambalpur district are presently ups in arm demanding the immediate transfer of a female OAS officer for sending a subordinate staff in to the judicial custody on a false charge. The staff under the banner of ‘Odisha Rajaswa Amala Sangha’ organized demonstration in front of the collectorate on Wednesday demanding justice to the victim staff. They have decided to intensify their agitation incase district administration does not take action against the officer with in 7 days as assured by the collector.

“We demand the transfer of the officer immediately from the district as she has sent one of our staff under a false charge. The Tahasildar has already made a probe and found the claim of the officer as ‘false’. We have decided to intensify our agitation in case the district administration fails to take action against the officer with 7 days as assured by the collector”, the general secretary of the Sangha Braja Bihari Dash told.

Sources said, the additional tahasildar Ms. Samikhya Mishra made a complaint before the town police station that her signature was forged by her ministerial staff in a particular mutation case. Basing on her report police arrested one Krusna Chandra Pati and sent into jail custody. Meanwhile the sadar tahasildar was directed to submit a report verifying the fact.
On verifying the documents tahasildar found that the signature of Ms. Nayak was genuine one. Since her signature differs in each time. “It becomes difficult to identify the real one. She has signed but later on she failed to identify it in a later stage”, the Tahasilar D Dehury mentioned in his latter submitted to the collector.
However the male staff of the Tahasil does not feel secure under the lady officer becuse of her misbehavior and torture. THey feel total insecure while working under her. "She harasses subordinate staff with out any valid reason. So we will continue our agitation till a suitable step is taken by the administration to transfer her to other district. more over she has been posted in one post for long 8 years which might be another reason of her errant behavior", the joint secretary of the sangha Trilochan Tripathy told “I have taken the matter and tried to get a solution immediately. How ever with out verifying documents taking the matter to the police has already complicated the matter”, Mr. PK Patnaik, Sambalpur collector PK Patnaik told.

sambalpur police came under scan for deploying 55 years old cop

Narasingh Mahakud, the deceased police officer may get an unprecedented heroic farewell from his colleagues and senior officers for his bravery and sincerity but his death has exposed the sincerity of the department in tackling the Maoist infested area. The vital question that hunts the district police was that when there was no dearth of young and experience officers available in the district, under what circumstances, Mahakud, an officer of 55 years old, having severe waist-pain and was under one month leave for his ensuing daughter’s marriage was chosen to lead the striking force. Even deceased family members and some of his colleagues expressed displeasure on the district police for sending him to the forefront knowing well about his physical problems. “He was not pulling well because of his waist-pain but as usual he never refused when he was called for”, a family member told.

Sources said, police sub-inspector Narasingh Mahakud was killed on Monday during an encounter with the Maoist in Gariakhaman forest rage under Sambalpur district. He was 55 years old and was posted as in-charge of the BTM outpost of Jharsuguda district but his family resides in official quarter of Sambalpur reserved line. He was on leave for the marriage ceremony of his younger daughter Sujata that was fixed to be held on 1st July. But looking to his past experience in Maoist operation he was requested by the Sambalpur police to join the operation and he did not refused in spite of his busy scheduled. He was suffering from waist-pain but he was sent to lead the force to tackle the red-terror.

“It was an incident that shocked every one. He was bravely fighting every time. Since he developed vast experience in Maoist operation we wanted to utilize him in the operation, we were not aware about his health problem. He also never discloses it before us.” the SP (Sambalpur) Sanjay Kumar told. However the department has taken every possible step to provide all possible help to his family. “The marriage of Mahakud’s daughter would be commenced as per scheduled and department will contribute one lakh from the salary staff along with other benefits. Apart from this we have decided to name ‘Sambalpur Armory’ that has been under construction after him to recall his contribution”, SP Mr. Kumar told.
Meanwhile some of the police officers and Mahakud’s colleagues alleged the senior police officers were all aware of the entry of Maoist from Jharkhand since a long time but did not take proper step to check their infiltration. “When the situation became worst in the infested area, deploying few obedient officers they tried to tackle the situation. Had the police a full-proved arrangement, such incident would not have occurred”, a colleague alleged

'Duty first' cop killed 15 days before his daughter's marriage

The jollity of the people, gathered in the quarter bearing number 156 of the samablpur reserve police for the ensuing marriage of the girl that scheduled to be held on 1st July was suddenly turned in to sore after the unexpected demise of the girl’s father Narashigh Mahakud. He breathed his last fighting with the Maoist on Monday but his untimely death has killed his dream of seeing the marriage of his younger daughter. He was bit worried of a full-proved preparation of his daughter’s marriage because of his engagement in Maoist operation. But he never dispense up his duty for personal work.
“It was a severe loss to out police department as he was an officer of conviction. He bravely fought with Maoist when ever he was deployed. This time also we have specially requisite him from Jharsuguda to combat the situation. But t our bad luck this became his last”, the DSP crime (Sambalpur) Dinabandhu Patel told. It was a moment for family members to celebrate the occasion when Narasingh Mahakud was selected as best police officer in 2008 and received president medal for his commendable service. But they never known his commendable service would take him one day. It was a day for celebration when he was selected for the award but we were not aware that his commendable work in the department would apart us one day”, Birendra, the eldest son told.
Sources said, Narashingh Mahakud, a native of Birmaharajpur of Sonepur district, was selected as best police in the 2008 when he was working as ASI of Sambalpur and received the president award. He was than promoted to sub-inspector and posted to BTM outpost at Jharsuguda. But looking his earlier experience in Maoist operation he was requisite by Sambalpur police on 9th July. He was killed while chasing the Maoist on Monday morning at Kotasahi near Gariakhaman. He was leading the force to the Gariakhaman, a place about 25 km away from the previous firing place, when the Maoist attacked the team. “He was leading the team when Maoist fired on him. The bullet stuck on his head and he died on Monday morning. We have brought his dead body to VSS Medical College Burla for autopsy. We will handover the body to his family after conducting autopsy”, sadar SDPO Dilip Kumar Deo confirmed. Sources said, Mahakud left behind his widow Subasini and 2 sons and 2 daughters. When his eldest daughter Sujata was married 3 years ago, the marriage of younger daughter was scheduled to be held on 1st July. “He assured me not to worry because very soon he will come back on leave for the preparation of my marriage. But now he will never come”, Sujata told in broken heart.

water theft poised water scarcity in sambalpur

‘Water theft’ becomes a major problem in Sambalpur that leads to an artificial water scarcity due to the rampant illegal pipe connection. One can imagine the volume of water theft from the fact that Sambalpur city with a population of over 2 lakhs, only 8000 house holds have taken legal water connection. The public health department failed in checking the growing illegal connection because of the involvement of departmental staff in this racket. Top officials of the department however expressed helplessness as they do not have sufficient power to book these offenders

“It is difficult on our part to calculate the exact demand of the water because of the illegal connection. Sambalpur city has a population of above 2 lakhs but only 8000 house holds have legal connection. We are unable to check illegal connection because of legal complication. Unless government empowers us to book the offenders, the problem of water theft is difficult to check,” the executive engineer of PHD (Sambalpur) Mr. Dilip Pradhan told.
Sources said, the water supply was made to the people of Sambalpur from the river Mahanadi as there was no provision for water supply directly from the Hirakud reservoir but thanks to the former chief minister Biju Patnaik under whose able leadership the grater water supply project for Sambalpur was formulated during early 90s, but to complete the project it took another a long 7 years. “We have covered major areas of the town under the new project but still there are few uncovered areas where water supply is made through the old system. We are hopeful to cover all most all areas under the new projects with in couple of years”, Executive engineer PHD, Pradhan told.
Sources said, there are few newly developed areas including Kuluthkani, Anguliapara, Durgapali and Sarlakani where people are yet to get the benefit of water supply. In these areas ground water has become the primary water sources. “We have not able to connect the areas with water pipes because of shortage funds. A proposal is pending with the government and we are hopeful to get it sanctioned very soon”, Mr. Pradhan informed.
However he informed that the department sustains huge loss of revenue because of the water theft through illegal connection. “We do not get adequate fund for maintenance of the project because of the poor revenue collection.”, Mr. Pradhan told.
On the other hand wastage of water becomes another headache for the PHD department because of the illegal connection. “It has been estimated that about 30% to 40% of the water that is supplied every day becomes useless because of the lack of civic sense of the people”, Mr. Pradhan told.

CB police nabbed one in Paikmal gang-rape

The crime branch police have succeeded to arrest one of the accused person in the Paikmal gang rape incident just after 30 days to the incident from Raipur town on Wednesday. The other accused persons are still at large. But with the arrest of one accused person, the CB police are hopeful to nab other accused persons soon. The incident occurred on 11th last month and government decided to hand over the case after the local police failed to nab the accused persons. The police have identified the accused as Gunanidhi Nag.
“We got the information of the accused person Gunanidhi Nag from a tip off .and arrested him from Raipur (Chhatishgarh) Wednesday and forwarded him on the same day to the judicial custody”, DSP (crime branch) PK Panda told.
According to him the accused Gunanidhi went to Raipur soon after the incident and was working in a chicken-farm as attainder. He tried to hide himself after seeing the police but finally he was caught. It was a major achievement for us as this would lead us to nab other accused persons soon”, Panda added.
It may be informed that a 24 years unmarried Dalit girl of Bhukhamunda under Paikmal police station of the Bargarh district had been to Paikmal block office on Monday (11th May) after the chairman Mahesh Agrawal assured her an employment of Anganwadi. But Agrawal allegedly directed her to accompany one Gananidhi Nag, who took her to a go-down of one Sajan Agrawal where Sajan and Pintu Pradhan were waiting them. All three had allegedly raped her in the godown one after another and threatened her to do away with her life if she opened her mouth. Police registered case against the accused persons including the block chairman Mahesh Agrawal after receiving complaint from the victim. But police did not take immediate step to arrest the accused persons because of their political connection. The alleged hand of the tribal minister Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha to shield the accused persons because of his relation with the block chairman Mahesh Agrawal has prompted CM Naveen Naveen Patnaik to hand over the case to the CB police in order to save his government from possible attack by the opposition.

Uttam continues to see even after his death

He may be departed early from the world because of his weak heart but thanks to last desire, he will continue to see the world in his own eyes. He died giving vision to two blind persons. He is none other than the eminent socio-cultural figure of Sambalpur Uttam Padhi who died on Saturday suffering from heart disease. But he donated his eyes that help two blind persons to see the beautiful creation of god.

The doctors of VSS Medical college hospital came to his residence and collected his eyes on Saturday evening soon after his death as per his last wishes. “He had contacted me on 12th this month and told me about his desire to donate his eyes. As per his desire we came and collected his eyes after his death. We are to transplant these eyes on two blindness persons on Sunday”, Dr. Guna Sagar Dash, the HOD of ophthalmic department of VSS Medical College hospital told. .
Sources said, Uttam Padhi, an eminent social worker and stage artist of Sambalpur was working in a local Branch of State Bank of India. He developed a chronic heart disease recently and despite of the costly treatment the chance of his survival was become less. He returned to his residence with a broken heart on 12th of this month after the doctors at Bangalore declared him a ‘guest of only of days’. he took a decision and contacted the eye department of VSS medicals. He let the doctors about his last wish of donating his eye. He died on Saturday.
“Though it is sad for loosing my father at an early stage still I feel proud for him” his 22 years old son Debashis told

On the other hand the eyes of Uttam Padhi were successfully transplanted with two lady persons on Sunday. They had lost vision since birth. Pravadevi (22) of Burla and Mamina Dash of Bhubaneswar would get their vision very shortly. “We successfully transplanted the eyes on two lady persons. Thanks to the desire of late Padhi, that helps two blind to get their vision” Dr. GS Dash told.
It may be informed that earlier Prahalad Rai Agrawal of Sambalpur and Dilip Pati of Burla had also donated their eyes. Uttam Padhi was third in donating his eyes through VSS Medical College Hospital. .

sambalpur police arrested 3 accused in gangrape before handing over it to CB police

The government decision to handover the case to the crime branch police has prompted Sambalpur police to arrest 3 of the accused persons only on the basis of the bike that was seized from the spot in the much hyped nurse gang-rape occurred on Sisal Sasti night (Friday) at Maltijore nulla sand-bed on NH 6 near Kudopali under Sadar police station. Though police did not have any concert evidence against the accused persons, police claimed that it was done after victim recognized them. But clueless on other 3 accused persons of the case prevail doubt on the investigation of the police.

“We arrested 3 accused persons including the owner of the bike that was seized from the spot on the basis of the recognition of the victim. Initially them for interrogation and today we arrested them and sent them for medical examination. The accused persons would be forwarded to judicial custody on Wednesday”, the inspector of the Sadar police station of Sambalpur, KC Mishra informed on Tuesday. However he denied any confession of the accused persons in the crime before during police interrogation. According to him police ascertained that the seized-bike (OR 15 F 3962.) (TVS Victor) has been registered in the name of one Bijay Sahu of Kuchinda.
Source alleged that police did not take the incident seriously in the initial stage. Even police did not rush to the spot immediately after getting the information. It was the local villagers who rescued the victim and accused persons had already left the place by the time police came to the spot. Even police did not take any immediate step to chase the accused persons as most of the police personnel were busy in the Sital Sasti festival duty. “Though police station is located just 2 km away from the spot where the girl was gang raped, it took hours to police to reach the spot. The accused had already gone away when police made the entry”, sources alleged
Mean while, Police identified the accused as Ajay Sahu, Bijay Sahu and Pranabandhu Nath of Kuchinda town of the district, who were brought by the police to the Sambalpur headquarters hospital for medical examinations. A three member of doctors have conducted the medical examination of the accused persons on Tuesday. “We collected the sample of blood and semen of the accused persons and conducted other examinations that necessary in a rape case.” the ADMO (medical), Sambalpur Dr. JP Agrawal told. But he apprehended loss of evidence from the body of the accused persons because of the delay in conducting medical examination. “Normally in rape case medical examination is to be done immediately as there is apprehension of loss of evidence due to delay”, Dr. Agrawal told.
Sources said, the 26 year old victim lady Sumati Dhala (fake name) of Deogarh district was working as a staff nurse in a Burla based nursing home. She came to Sambalpur on Friday to witness the famous Sital Sasti with her cousin (brother of her brother-in-law). They were going on NH 6 on a motor cycle when 6 accused persons appeared in 3 motor bikes. Four of the accused gagged her and took her to the sand-bed when two of them held her cousin. They raped her one another. The accused persons fled away in two motor bike leaving one at the spot as the key was held by the victim, police quoted as stated by the victim in her FIR.
On the other hand the Sambalpur police are waiting the crime branch police to hand over the case with out conducting any further investigation after declaration of the government to hand over the case to crime branch police.
Crime branch police will conduct further investigation in the case after the decision of the government. The district police will assist them as and when they seek our help. We have already prepared the case record to be handed over to crime branch police in a day or two”, the crime DSP (Sambalpur) Mr. Dinabandhu Patel informed.

unbreakable items from wastage papers

If you think waste-papers are meant for dustbin after being used, than you have to change your thought, at least after seeing the beautiful creation of a female group of Keonjhar. They are sure to make you to re-think as these females are making unbreakable toys and show pieces including idols of god & goddess using waste-papers as raw materials. These fascinating items become the centre of attraction in the ‘GramaSree mela’ presently underway in Sambalpur and will continue till 3rd June. Organized by the ORMAS and district administration with financial support from CAPART, the fair of handicrafts and handloom has an ideal place of shopping during the Sital Sssti festival.

“We make these items from waste papers. We add few other materials with the waste papers to make the item stronger and durable. it takes much time because we prepare it manually. We never use any machines. Our lady members do the work and earn a handsome amount from the cottage industry”., said, Harihar Suta, trainer and guide of the Maa Tarini Self help group of Keonjhar’s Hatadihi village
According to him, the art of making consumable items from waste papers was obtained from South India. While he was in Bangalore he got the training of making beautiful items through wastepaper. But he cultivated new technique of making unbreakable items through his own experiments. it took him about three years to give his technique to a final shape. Now he is the pioneer of this technique and though this he is able to feed more than 30 families of his village.
“I got the art from South India where have taken number of training on the subjects. But after coming back I started experimenting on it to do something unique. With number of experiments I finally acquired this technique of making unbreakable items. We have formed an SHG and they are running their families under my guidance”, Mr. Suta told.
Sources said, the waste papers are converted into liquid form by boiling with water. When the stuff becomes ready they mix few powders with the stuff specially prepared from tamarind seeds and other dry leaves to make it solid. Than they dry the stuff by giving various shapes as per their requirement and demands. Finally they paint the items with wooden colour to make it beautiful and attractive. .”We use wooden calour because we feel our items are similar to wooden item because of its durability”, Mr. Suta told.
Moreover the costs of these items are lesser in comparison to wooden items. “Wood has become costlier now days so people prefer to take our item because of its look and cost”, a member of the group Sabina told.

Apart from this, several other items like Juti, bed sheets and pearl from Rajasthan and handloom cotton saree from West Bengal are also getting much attention from the people as these items are not available every time in Sambalpur. “We try to house items of every state in Gramasree Mela to make it attractive and praiseworthy. We also organize cultural prograame every evening to entertain the people” the regional manager of the ORMAS Mr., K K Jha told.

Bariha is in deep trouble for Shielding Paikmal raped accused

The newly appointed Tribal welfare Minister Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha is under deep trouble following the allegation of giving shelter to the accused persons involved in the gang rape that occurred two weeks ago in block office of Paikmal in Bargarh district. Local alleged that police are slowing favour to the accused persons and do not want to arrest them because of the official pressure of the minister. They said that the accused persons including the block chairman who belongs to BJD are known to be closed aide of the minister.
“Every one knows the relation of the minister with the accused persons. He even visited the house of the prime accused Mahesh Agrawal during his first visit to Paikmal as minister. Because of his official pressure police have not arrested the accused. So we demand the immediate arrest of the accused persons. We have also moved to the Chief Minister for the suspension of the accused persons from the party as they all belong to BJD”, the president of the western Orissa Dalit Adhikar Manch Lal Mohan Kandher alleged.
Sources said, Dalit Manch organized a big rally in Paikmal on Saturday in protest against the alleged role of the minister in the rape case. The Manch demanded the arrest of the accused persons immediately by providing social and moral protection to the victim lady who belongs to SC community. The Manch has also decided to intensify their agitation if police do not take any step to arrest the accused with in 7 days. “We have decided to intensify our agitation if police failed to arrest the accused persons with in one week time”, the convener of the Dalit Manch Saroj Suna told.
Police sources said, a 24 years unmarried Dalit girl of Bhukhamunda under Paikmal police station of the Bargarh district had been to Paikmal block office on Monday (11th May) and met the chairman Mahesh Agrawal to enquire about the Anganwadi post for which she was applied earlier.she was assured by accused Agrawal to abserb her in the post of Anganwadi. when she approached, She was allegedly sent with one Gunanidhi who took her to a go-down. She was raped there by him and two other persons namely Sajan Agrawal and Pintu Pradhan. They also threatened her to do away with her life if she disclosed the fact.
Police registered case against the accused persons including the block chairman Mahesh Agrawal but did not take any step to arrest the accused immediately. The accused persons later have absconded fearing police arrest. How ever police denied any pressure in the case. “A case has already been registered against the accused person u/s 376 (rape) IPC. We failed to arrest the accused as they were all absconded immediately after the incident. We are trying to locate them and we will arrest them soon”, the Padmapur SDPO Jyoti Ranjan Mohapatra told.
On the other hand the minister Mr. Bariha denied his any hand in the incident. “I have nothing to do with their arrest. I had visited every one’s house during my first visit to my constituency. I have also visited the house of the victim to console her but a conspiracy has been cropped up to tarnish my reputation”, Mr. Bariha told.

nurse was gangraped on Sital Sasti night

Sambalpur police have failed to arrest the accused persons in the much-talk nurse gang rape case that occurred at horadjore nulla near Jayantpur on NH 6 under Sadar police station, outskirts of the town on the Friday night, even after 48 hours of the incident.

the incident occured While Sambalpur was in a festive mood with a gathering of more than a lakh people on the eve of Sital Sasti Yatra. the victim girl, a nurse was gang raped by 6 persons on the way to her Sambalpur to witness the festival. The police rushed to the spot and seized one of the bike used by the accused persons. The police registered a case sending the victim for medical examination.“Since we have seized the bike belongs to the accused persons it would be easier for us to identify the accused. Investigation is on to nab the accused. However due to deployment in the festival duty some delay has been occurred in identifying the accused persons”, Sambalpur SDPO Dilip Kumar Deo told.

“The accused persons had dragged her to the Maltijore nulla bed on NH 6 near Jayantpur after obstructing the bike she was coming with her cousin and raped her brutally. However she could not remember how many persons had raped her as she was senseless after they physically assaulted her on her protect, Mr. Deo said quoting the victim.
Police said, the victim, a staff nurse in a Burla based private nursing home had come to Sambalpur to witness the famous Sital Sasti Yatra on Friday. While going with her cousin on a bike she was chased by the 6 accused persons in three motor cycles. Near Jayantpur on Sambalpur-Deogarh road they obstructed her bike and took her to near by horadjore nulla river bed. They also beat her cousin when he tried to protect their inhuman act.

Police got informed when the man ran from the spot and went to the Sadar police station with the help of some of the local villagers. The accused persons left the place in two motor cycles leaving one at the spot after seeing the police. “We immediately rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident from the man came along with few local villagers. But accused persons had already left the place seeing police vehicle .” an officer of Sadar police station told .“The victim girl was examined medically and admitted in a nursing home. We are not sure about the number of accused raped her. We will know it after getting the medical report”, he added.

It may be informed the incident has once again refreshed the memory of the gang-rape incident that occurred in February last year on a girl student of Sambalpur University who was raped in three various places of the town.

obscenty during divine union raises eye brows on Sital Sasti

It is a divine union, a fanatical invocation of devotees surrounded by blasting of music and fascinated dancers with a cultural extravaganza. This is in short, is the new version of the Sital Sasti festival that concludes on Saturday after hectic street procession of devine couple. Celebrating the devine union of Lord Shiva with goddess Parvati, as the mobile stages carrying the dancers and folk artists passes across the street, Sambalpur takes a carnival looks.

But over the past the invasion of skin-show-dancers from country’s southern part to the festival has raised eye brows of many. To add glamour in the festival, professional dancers performing provoking dances are encouraged by the Yatra committees forgetting its impact on the community. The revealing attire and vulgar may increase applaud among the cheerful-crowd gathered around the stage but the obscenity and vulgarity have certainly caused harm to the younger generation. The seniors of the society as well as the district administration how ever make a murmur on the growing nudity that feel religious festival should be left pious. “I do not feel wise to recommend such vulgarity during Sital Sasti as I feel it is a religious function. The committee members should try to clean the atmosphere to make the festival more attractive” retired professor K C Panda opined. .
On the other hand the issue of vulgarity has prompted the members of the Joint coordination committee of the Sital Sasti festival to have ‘dress code’ for the dancers to minimize the vulgarity. .
“It is a part of the age-old tradition which can not be changed overnight. Still we have decided to have proper attention on the dresses of the dancers. Every Yatra committee will prescribe a ‘dress code’ for their artists. However we have already stopped ‘Bai nacha’ and in their place we have introduced album artists. We have also decided to give more thrust on the folk and traditional dances in coming years”, the general secretary of the joint coordination committee Anupam Mishra told
Sources said, Sital Sasti Yatra is an age-old traditional festival that is based on the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. The entire process of the ceremony is done as per local tradition and custom. During the festival Lord Shiva goes on Barat to the house of the parents of goddess Parvati (selected by the respective Yatra committee) to marry her. The parents spend huge amount to perform the marriage like their own daughter. Street processions of the newly married couple along with various dances and traditional culture are organized by the respective Yatra committees to mark the occasion.
In past Harlot (bai nacha) from Kolkata and Raipur was a part of the festival, but slowly erotic and vulgar dance groups from South India were invited to pull the crowd as there was a competition among the Yatra committees. But over the past few years reformation has taken place in the Yatra after formation of a Joint coordination committee.
“Yatra committees are to be serious on the matter. we can not do cultural policing all the times.People also should be aware to avoid such obscene dances as it give a negative impact on the society, Mr. P K Patnaik, collector Sambalpur told.
But there are others who argue that administration is interfering much in the fultural fair. They argue that that dancing on the tune of movie songs can not be considered as vulgar. “One should not consider it as vulgar and obscene as we invite only album artists and professional dancers. We have also taken care on the costume and dresses of the artists. We have also introduced Bihu ,Bhangra and chhau in the festival replacing traditional Bai nacha in order to make the festival more colourful and attractive.” , the president of the Jharuapara yatra committee Saroj Dalpat told.
It may be mentioned here that the artists perform their dances on a mobile wheel stages especially built-up by the Yatra committee. Every Yatra committee has as 8 to 10 such wheel stages which are pulled in a row. Apart from the stage artists there are hundreds of artists who perform on the open space. The divine couple follows the precession bedecked with beautiful chariots .