Balasore, July 5 (UDN): Two unidentified armed miscreants allegedly looted cash from a petrol pump at gunpoint in Odisha’s Balasore district late Friday night before fleeing on a motorcycle. The entire incident was captured on the CCTV cameras installed at the fuel station, police said. The robbery took place at Darada Petrol Pump in Baliapal at around 11.22 pm. According to preliminary investigation, a petrol…
Chauliaganj IIC Beauty Mohanty Found Dead in Official Quarters in Cuttack
Cuttack, July 5 (UDN): Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Chauliaganj Police Station, Beauty Mohanty, was found dead in her official quarters in Odisha’s Cuttack city on Saturday, police said. According to preliminary information, Mohanty was found lying unconscious inside her government residence. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead. On being informed, senior police officers reached the quarters and initiated an inquiry…
Centre Directs Apple, Google to Remove Seven Apps Facilitating Illegal E-Rickshaw Operations
New Delhi, July 5 (UDN): The Central Government has directed technology giants Apple and Google to remove seven mobile applications that allegedly facilitate the unauthorised operation of e-rickshaws and violate existing transport regulations. Representational Image According to official sources, the action was initiated following complaints that the apps were enabling unregistered and non-compliant e-rickshaw services, posing concerns over passenger safety, regulatory compliance and fair competition…
Rejected Marriage Proposal Turns Fatal in Balangir; Woman’s Maternal Uncle Killed, Three Injured
Balangir, July 5 (UDN): A man was allegedly beaten to death and three members of his family were seriously injured in an overnight attack at Mallikmunda village under Patnagarh police limits in Odisha’s Balangir district, with police suspecting the assault to have been triggered by a marriage proposal that was earlier called off. The deceased was identified as Binod Sahu, while his wife, son and…
Five Choudwar Jail Inmates Test HIV-Positive During Routine Screening
Cuttack, July 5 (UDN): Five inmates of Choudwar Circle Jail in Odisha’s Cuttack district have tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during routine medical screening, prompting prison authorities to strengthen healthcare and counselling measures within the correctional facility. According to official sources, the HIV-positive inmates include three undertrial prisoners and two convicts. Following the diagnosis, the inmates have been placed under medical supervision…
Couple Murdered Over Witchcraft Suspicion in Keonjhar; Five Arrested
Keonjhar, July 5 (UDN): A couple who had been missing for more than a week was allegedly murdered on suspicion of practising witchcraft, with their bodies recovered from a village well in Odisha’s Keonjhar district. Police have arrested five persons in connection with the gruesome crime. The incident took place at Baliparbat village under the jurisdiction of Daitari Police Station. The deceased were identified as…
Political Parties Intensify Grassroots Mobilisation Ahead of Odisha Panchayat Polls
Bhubaneswar, July 4 (UDN): Political activity has begun to gather pace in Odisha ahead of the forthcoming Panchayat elections, with all major parties intensifying organisational efforts to strengthen their grassroots network and prepare for what is expected to be a keenly contested electoral battle. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress have stepped up meetings at the district…
ECI Appoints 10 Senior IAS Officers as Electoral Roll Observers for Odisha
Bhubaneswar, July 4 (UDN): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed ten senior IAS officers as Electoral Roll Observers to supervise the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 of electoral rolls in Odisha, with an aim to ensure a transparent, inclusive and error-free voter registration exercise across the State. The observers have been assigned responsibility for different clusters of districts and will oversee the implementation of…
Two Killed, Five Injured as Speeding Dumper Rams Rescuers, Media Personnel in Mayurbhanj
Baripada, July 5 (UDN): Two persons were killed and five others, including three television camerapersons, sustained grievous injuries after a speeding dumper truck rammed into a group of rescuers and media personnel at an accident site in the Palbani area of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district late Friday night. According to police, the tragedy unfolded after a timber-laden truck overturned on the roadside near Palbani, prompting local…
Govt Reviews Rath Yatra Transport Plan, Orders Enhanced Bus Services
Bhubaneswar, July 4 (UDN): The Odisha government on Friday intensified preparations for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, directing officials to strengthen transport, traffic management and commuter facilities to ensure the safe and hassle-free movement of lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the festival. The directives were issued at a high-level review meeting chaired by Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena. The meeting…