Elephant calf found dead in Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal: A carcass of a two-year-old elephant calf was found near Thakurapala in the Joranda area of Dhenkanal district on Friday morning. Being informed, Forest Department officials reached the spot and started investigation. The cause behind the death of the animal was yet to be ascertained, reports said.
50% of K’jhar paddy seed distribution target met
Keonjhar: Only 5,436 quintal of paddy seed could be provided to farmers in Keonjhar so far against a target to supply 10,115 quintal paddy seed during the current crop season. According to the statistics of the Agriculture department, there is 2, 82,700 hectares of agriculture land in Keonjhar district. Out of this, paddy is grown in 1, 67,200 hectares. But this year, the famers have cultivated paddy in 1, 25,000 hectares land which is less in comparison to last year. Expecting good rainfall this year, the production of paddy will be satisfactory, the local agriculture official, however, informed.
J’suguda locals block NH-49 as worker dies in accident
Jharsuguda: Tension gripped Khaliamala Chhak here on Friday morning as locals blocked NH-49 over the death of a worker in a road accident. Govardhan Kua (40) died on Thursday night after being hit by a truck at Khaliamala Chhak. Demanding compensation for the deceased’s family, locals blocked the road disrupting vehicular movement on the Jharsuguda-Khaliamala route.
Hira GTD workers oppose Wesco franchises
Sonepur: The Hira GTD Workers’ Union led by lalit Nayak organised a demonstration in front of the Wesco Executive Engineer office demanding closure of all input franchises in Sonepur, Titlagarh and Balangir circles and filling up of various posts and regularisation of helpers in all sections. Strongly opposing the Wesco’s franchise system, Nayak said the union would gherao Balangir Superintendent Engineer office on Saturday and then hold a dharna at its corporate offica at Burla if demands are not met.
Workshop for Haj pilgrims held at Tarbha
Tarbha: The Haj committee organised a workshop at the Tarbha Masjid on Friday and provided necessary guidelines to Haj pilgrims for a successful journey. Pilgrims were administered preventive injection for possible diseases. Out of 684 pilgrims enrolled, 15 started journey on the day, informed former Haj committee president and Katabanji MlA Aaub Khan. State Haj committee coordinator Sekh Ramzan and Tarbha Bazaar committee president Akbar Ali were present.
19 kg ganja seized, 3 held in Sonepur
Sonepur: Around 19 kg of ganja was seized and three inter-State smugglers were arrested by the Sonepur police on Thursday. The arrested were identified as Rakesh Barma from Narsinghpur district of Madhyapradesh, Kailash Mehra of Sahaban village and Astit Khan of Kherua village. The cost of ganja was estimated at Rs 40,000. The team comprsing SI Saroj Dani, ASIs Ekadasia Padhan and Sishupal Nag and Habildar Upendra Pattnaik nabbed them at Kulipali chowk on the Sonepur-Balangir NH.