Pramod Rath

Eighth Non-fatal Encounter In State This Month

Eighth Non-fatal Encounter In State This Month

Police encounters in Odisha have surged significantly over the past two years, with statistics showing a sharp rise from four in 2024 to 19 in 2025. This year has already seen 10 incidents, with seven occurring in May alone, often resulting in injured suspects.

Those used to drinking outside liquor shops and at public places need to mend their ways before it is too late.

From distributing drinking water, glucose powder, biscuits and juice to taking the ailing devotees to nearby first-aid centres, the role of private volunteers mobilized in Rath Yatra here was noteworthy.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday ordered a crime branch inquiry into Monday's scuffle between collectors and lawyers in Sambalpur."I was shocked to see the incident on TV channels.

Lawyers have decided to exclude bus and train services from the proposed western Odisha Bandh to be observed on May 8 for the convenience of the masses.

Sambalpur district collector Mrinalini Darswal has said in her complaint lawyers had attempted to outrage her modesty during Monday's mayhem before police rescued her.

Police on Thursday morning arrested 18 lawyers of Sambalpur, including the president and the secretary of the bar association, for their involvement in the assault on Sambalpur collector Mrinalini Darswal on Monday.

The central action committee (CAC) of Western Odisha Lawyers' Association has decided to gherao office of RDC (Northern zone) here on Monday to press for setting up of a high court bench in western Odisha.

Vigilance sleuths on Tuesday found assets worth nearly Rs one crore allegedly earned illegally by a clerk of the regional transport office (RTO) in Puri.

BJD on Wednesday reconstituted the panel of state-level office-bearers by inducting five new faces in the list of nine vice-presidents (VPs).

Life was thrown out of gear in Sambalpur on Wednesday following a bandh called by lawyers to demand the removal of the collector for allegedly abusing them.

Lawyers forced closure of financial institutions and banks from Friday at Sambalpur, intensifying their agitation for a high court bench in western Odisha.They have been closing down government offices from Monday.

At a time when the western parts of the state have seen a lot of hue and cry over the setting up of a permanent high court bench, a mandap here has been modelled on the high court.

Jaundice scourge has robbed Sambalpur of New Year festivities.

Illegal parking of vehicles along roads is causing severe traffic snarl-ups here.The road connecting Choudhury Bazaar, Dargha Bazaar, Tinikonia Bagicha and Buxi Bazaar is one of the worst-hit.

The regional transport office and police have decided to crack the whip on underage drivers here.

Any decision by the state government as a sequel to the discussions either negative or positive will violate the model code of conduct," the commission said in its letter.

The British-era bridge over Taladanda canal, connecting Madhupatna to OMP Square, will soon become a thing of the past.

Encouraged by success of prepaid autorickshaw service at Cuttack railway station, authorities have now decided to extend the facility to SCB Medical College and Hospital here.

All major political parties on Saturday decided to boycott the ensuing municipal elections in Sambalpur to extend support to lawyers, who are fighting for establishment of a high court bench in western Odisha since long.

The traffic management committee, formed by the Orissa high court to look into traffic problems in Cuttack, has directed Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to develop parking lots in the city within a month.

The traffic management committee, formed by the Orissa high court to look into traffic problems in Cuttack, has directed Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to develop parking lots in the city within a month.

The millennium city will soon get a special bus terminal for private buses.

Even as lawyers in western Odisha are gearing up for another round of agitation from August 20, pressing for a bench of the Orissa high court.

A visit by commissioner of police Sudhanshu Sarangi to Choudwar circle jail in Cuttack in November last year as part of a robbery investigation triggered the pursuit for Bibekananda Biswal, who had been evading arrest in connection with the gang rape of a woman in Baranga in January 1999.

The government's decision to give corporation status to Sambalpur municipality has sparked both cheer and scepticism among locals.

The collector, Mrinalini Darswal in turn had leveled serious charges against the lawyers of trying to outrage her modesty.