Freedom fighter Duga Das dies
Baleswar: Eminent freedom fighter Dugashankar Das, a resident of Bhograi, passed away on Monday in the District Headquarters Hospital here after suffering from brief illness. He was 96 and is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters. Das represented the Bhograi constituency as MlA once. He was also Bhograi block chairman thrice and associated with several socio-cultural and philanthropic organisations.
Prisoner commits suicide in M’giri jail
Malkangiri: An inmate of the Malkangiri Sub-Jail allegedly committed suicide late on Sunday night by hanging himself. The deceased Muka Padiami was an undertrial prisoner after being arrested two months ago on charges of involvement in Maoist activities. His body was handed over to his family members after postmortem. He committed suicide by hanging himself with a towel in a toilet. His body was recovered on Monday morning. Muka hailed from Badigata village under the Kalimela police station. The autopsy report would reveal details of his death, said the Kalimela IIC.
Shaswati Natya Samaroha concludes in B’pur
Brahmapur: The Shaswati Pragatishila Natya Sanshta celebrated its silver jubilee and organised Shaswati Natya Samaroha for four days from August 18. Playwright Ranjit Patnaik was present as guest in the valedictory ceremony. Akhaya Kumar Mohanty chaired the meeting. Odisha Natya Sangha vice-president Ashok Kar was guest of honour. Artist Ramesh Moharana was felicitated and Shaswati’s annual magazine Natyasmruti was released. Utkal Sanskrutika Parishad artists performed the play Baram Nivas Bhala Rana Khetra re, written by Prof Ramesh Das and directed by Sudam Bisoyi. Deepak Dash, Sukant Sahu, Subrat Dash, Chandramani Das, Manas Das and Dibyashree Behera acted in the play.
175 blood units collected in Sukinda camp
Jajpur: The Sukinda Biju Janata Dal organised a ‘Jeevan Bindu’ blood donation camp at the Kapileswar Mahabidyalaya on Sunday. A total of 175 persons donated blood. Sukinda MlA Pritiranjan Ghadai said this would inspire local youths to organise such camps in future. Dr Suresh Chandra Dalai, Bibek Bose, youth leader Sudhanshu Bhanja and Deepak Bhataacharya were present.
Sambhav holds anti-dengue drive in Jajpur
Jajpur: Voluntary organisation Sambhav began an awareness campaign against dengue and malaria at Uttarsasan village under Dhrmasala block on Monday. A total of 25 members, led by Sambhav president Akhil Kumar Swain and social worker Dr Suresh Chandra Dalai, moved door to door and advised people to keep their houses, ponds, drains and surroundings clean. Debabrat Rout and journalist Akshay Rout were also present.
Injured python rescued in Balangir
Balangir: An injured python of around nine feet long was rescued from Bhutiarbahal village in Balangir district on Monday. Balangir Forest Range Office sources said the python had swallowed a small jackal at a local stone crusher unit. local snake helpline members rescued the snake and the jackal was taken out from its stomach. The python was admitted at the Chief District Veterinary Office Hospital. After treatment, it would be released to forest, said a forest official.
Krushak Parishad observes bandh in B’maharajpur
Balangir: Demanding payment of input subsidy and crop insurance dues to farmers who suffered crop loss due to drought, the Birmaharajpur Krushak Parishad observed a 12-hour bandh here on Monday. While shops and other business establishments remained closed, vehicular movement was affected as members of the Parishad staged road blockades at important junctions in the town. The Parishad also demanded withdrawal of the water tax as canal water is not supplied to the area since 2004.
Two looters held in R’kela; 5 bikes recovered
Rourkela: The Bondhamunda police recovered five bikes and arrested two persons on Sunday. IIC SK Das said that since last few days, bike loot cases had been reported at regular intervals and the police kept vigil on certain miscreants. During investigation, the police nabbed one Kishore Singh, who admitted his involvement in various bike loot cases. Based on his statement, the police also arrested one Binod Mahato of Dhanapali under the Manoharpur police station and recovered a bike from him. Between 2006 and 2008, four cases were pending against Singh.