Bhitarkanika to be closed till January 8
Bhubaneswar: The Bhitarkanika National Park will remain closed for visitors from December 24 to Jan 8, 2014 for annual census of migratory birds and crocodiles. A Forest Department official said even though the ban on night stay of tourists at the Park led to a sharp decline in Indian and foreign visitors, it would remain closed for the census.
Newly-wed couple commits suicide
Jajpur: A newly-married couple committed suicide by consuming poison in their house at Sarifbada under the Kuakhia police station on Sunday night. Sagar Dalei (25) and Rita (23) had tied the knot only five months back. Domestic quarrel might be the reason behind the suicide. Family members broke open the door after the couple did not respond to their calls on Monday morning. The police are investigating the case, said Kuakhia PS Sub-Inspector Inamul Haq.
N’pada DM holds grievance meeting
Nuapada: District Collector Jaykumar V chaired a grievance cell meeting at Khariar on Monday. A total of 143 grievances were heard, of which 113 were disposed. The Collector ordered on-the-spot inquiry into the 30 petitions. Ten poor families were given a total monetary assistance of `50,000 from the District Red Cross Fund. Four destitute persons received `10,000 each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Further, the Collector has asked the concerned officials to conduct a comprehensive survey to find out eligible persons for the CMRF aid and old-age pension.
Ex-Sathya Sai students visit Paradip
Paradip: Vivekananda Sahoo, a former student of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher learning, Prasanthi Nilayam visited Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samity here on Saturday along with another ex-Sai student lala Sushanta Ray, the force behind the Sai Anandam orphanage at Baranga near Bhubaneswar. Both the students spoke on how to practice Swami’s teachings in daily lives to get Atmasakshatkara (self realisation). A question-answer session was also carried on the occasion. Sri Sathya Sai Trust State convener Antaryami Pattnaik, Jagatsinghpur district president Bipin Bihari Panigrahi, Paradip Samity convener Bibhuti Bhusan Mishra organised the programme.
G’pati panchayat EO held for attacking scribe
Paralakhemundi: The Mohana police arrested an executive officer here on Saturday on charge of attacking a working journalist. According to the police, Bilash Nayak had registered a written complaint that he had been attacked by Mohana Panchayat Executive Officer Rajendra Maharana Brahma and a few of his aides. Nayak said Brahma attacked him when he had raised the issue of irregularity and corruption in the allotment of Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) houses to the beneficiaries under MCDP scheme.