puri police

In anticipation of the Puri Rath Yatra, a critical directive has been issued by Odisha's DGP to establish an effective crowd-control framework, putting the safety of devotees front and center, especially after last year’s unfortunate event. Senior law enforcement officers are fine-tuning strategies for emergency readiness, disaster management, and cross-departmental cooperation.

A heartbreaking incident occurred in West Singhbhum, where the dreams of two young lovers were tragically cut short. Arjun Mahato, 15, and his 17-year-old partner, Kushbu Mahato, were discovered dead after being struck by a train. The couple had reportedly eloped on May 21, with police later finding train tickets that hinted at a trip to Odisha.

A tragic road accident on Lucknow's Kisan Path claimed one life and injured seven others as an SUV carrying pilgrims from Mathura to Ayodhya collided with a tractor-trolley. The powerful impact mangled the SUV, trapping the driver who later succumbed to his injuries. Rescue efforts were extensive, and traffic was temporarily halted.

Odisha's Special Task Force has secured a one-year preventive detention for habitual drug trafficker Jharana Panda under the PIT-NDPS Act. This marks a significant move in the state's crackdown on organized drug trafficking, with authorities aiming to make Odisha drug-free through stringent enforcement against repeat offenders.

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.

A 34-year-old man, Laxmikanta Panda, has been arrested in Rourkela for allegedly defrauding victims of approximately Rs 1 crore since 2016. Police investigations revealed his involvement in fraud cases across multiple districts, promising subsidized loans and financial assistance. Valuables worth Rs 20 lakh were recovered during his apprehension.

A man impersonating an NIA officer was arrested in Bhubaneswar for sexually harassing a woman and instigating her to file a false gang rape complaint. Police seized a fake NIA ID, a ministry of home affairs vehicle, and weapons from the accused, who is now under verification for further duping allegations.

May Have Died 2-3 Days Earlier, Neighbours Alarmed By Smell Alerted Cops

A man was seriously injured and robbed of his gold chain and cash by alleged drug addicts in Sailashree Vihar Phase-2, Bhubaneswar. The victim, Biswaranjan Das, was attacked late Monday night while returning home. His wife filed a complaint naming a local goon and drug addict as one of the assailants.

Tragedy struck on NH-26 near Jhitikiguda as a car collided with a trailer truck, claiming the lives of a 56-year-old woman and her 30-year-old daughter. Three others, including a child, were injured and hospitalized. The family was returning from Puri when the devastating accident occurred. The truck driver is currently on the run.

Archaeological Survey of India officials have urged Jajpur district authorities to take strong legal action against encroachers and illegal stone quarry operators threatening the Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. Recent unauthorized construction and quarrying activities within prohibited zones risk damaging these vital historical monuments, prompting urgent intervention to preserve Odisha's rich cultural heritage.

Panic buying gripped Bhubaneswar and Cuttack as residents rushed to fuel stations amid fears of supply disruption due to the West Asia conflict. Despite assurances of adequate stocks, long queues and traffic snarls were witnessed, impacting boat operators and farmers.