Latest news with #Huika
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Wild elephants raid villages in Odisha's Rayagada; crops, houses destroyed
BERHAMPUR: A herd of 24 elephants which has been raiding villages in Bismakatak block of Rayagada district has left one family in complete distress. Narayan Huika (56) of Kumbharabadi village has borne the brunt of the depredation as his crop and house has fallen prey to the jumbos' ire. On Friday night, the herd entered the village and destroyed several houses and crops. Huika suffered huge loss as the herd completely destroyed his farmland along with banana plantation. He said that upon hearing the elephants arrive, his family left home and ran to safety. When they returned on Saturday morning, their house was destroyed and the stored paddy, rice and pulses were consumed by the herd. The elephants also devoured cash of Rs 80,000 kept in a millet bag. Locals said the elephants have reportedly come from the Nagligiri forest in Kalyansinghpur. The Forest department is keeping a close watch on their movement. Train speed in the area has been reduced to ensure the elephants' safety and prevent further incidents. Forest officials said the elephants are venturing into human habitation due to a food crisis caused by deforestation and climate change. Officials said the losses would be assessed and as per existing norms, the victims will be assisted.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Rayagada admin files plaint against ex-CWC chairperson for ‘violating juvenile justice Act'
Koraput: The Rayagada district administration has filed a formal complaint against the former chairperson of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Bidulata Huika, for alleged serious violations of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, including unlawful disclosure of the identities of minor girls. The complaint, lodged by district child protection officer Mahadev Chichuan at the Rayagada police station on Wednesday, accuses Huika of dereliction of duty and breaching the confidentiality of 62 minor girls from the district. These minors, reportedly victims of child marriage who later became mothers, were named in a petition circulated by Huika on WhatsApp. "The petition, which was addressed to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, included full names and other personally identifiable information of the minors, thereby violating Section 74 (1) of the juvenile justice Act," Chichuan said. According to the complaint, Huika served as the chairperson of the Rayagada CWC from Dec 16, 2022, to May 1, 2025. During this period, she allegedly failed to discharge several statutory responsibilities under the Act, including safeguarding the identities and welfare of children under the committees protection. Efforts to contact Huika for comment were unsuccessful. The inspector in-charge of Rayagada police station, K B Kanhar, confirmed that the complaint has been registered in the station diary and that an investigation is underway.
