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Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
NIA investigates Maoist hijacking of explosives in Odisha's Sundargarh
BHUBANESWAR: The National Investigation Agency ( NIA ) on Thursday launched an investigation into Tuesday's hijacking of explosive materials by Maoist insurgents from a stone quarry in Odisha's Sundargarh district, bordering Jharkhand, Odisha Police sources said. The brazen loot of 4 tonnes of gelatin sticks in Rourkela's K Balang police jurisdictions raised serious security concerns. "This is a matter of grave concern as these explosives could be potentially used for anti-national activities. NIA has stepped in and started their probe. We are working closely with the NIA and Jharkhand police to track and recover the stolen materials,' a senior police officer told TOI. Security experts warn that the quantity of stolen explosives poses a significant threat. "Four tonnes of gelatin sticks in the wrong hands could cause devastating damage,' S K Sahoo, a retired cop said. According to sources, the NIA has formed special teams to track the movement of Maoist groups in the region and recover the stolen explosives. A high-level meeting was conducted between NIA officials and senior police officers from Odisha and Jharkhand to coordinate the investigation and develop strategic responses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo DGP Y B Khurania, who chaired the meeting, has been camping in Sundargarh since Wednesday. Around 10 am on Tuesday, about 25-30 armed Naxals stormed the quarry under K Balang police limits in Rourkela, near Saranda forests neighbouring Maoist-infested Jharkhand, holding two labourers and a manager at gunpoint after the explosives-laden lorry arrived. The armed group compelled the driver to operate the vehicle under duress. They released him at Relhatu area under K Balang police station around 5 pm. 'We have intensified patrolling in the area and set up checkpoints at key locations,' DIG (western range) Brijesh Rai said. The brazen incident marked a significant Maoist operation after an extended period of reduced LWE activity in Odisha, triggering apprehension of a disruption of the Centre's objective to establish a 'Maoist free' India by March 2026. The daylight theft of 4-tonnes of gelatin sticks has raised concerns as Sundargarh had been declared Naxal-free in April 2024. DIG Rai mentioned that Sundargarh, free from Maoist activities and violence for over ten years, was removed from the left-wing extremism (LWE) affected areas list and the Centre's security-related expenditure (SRE) scheme last year.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
After HC contempt warning, CMC commissioner assures to enforce stay on vending zone work
1 2 3 4 5 6 Cuttack: After Orissa high court warned of contempt action, commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Friday assured to enforce the stay order on the construction of a vending zone along the boundary wall of the second campus of Madhusudan Law University (MLU) at Jobra here. The vacation bench of Justices S K Sahoo and M S Sahoo observed, "We are of the view that on the face of records, it appears that the commissioner, CMC has flouted the order of this court dated May 20 as the construction of shop rooms that was initiated by the CMC was directed to be stopped. The commissioner is responsible for the acts of commission and omission that have happened after the orders were passed in his presence. " "Law is well settled that whenever there is a deliberate flouting of the order of the court, it amounts to contempt and it becomes the duty of the court to exercise its inherent power to set the wrong right as a party cannot be permitted to perpetuate the wrong by disobeying the order further," the bench warned. "When the order was passed on May 20 in the presence of the CMC commissioner, it was nonetheless his bounden duty to see that no one should flout the same," the bench observed, adding, "It is unfortunate that no steps have been taken immediately by the authorities concerned to prevent such activities and as stated by the CMC commissioner 'hooligans' have dared to violate the orders of this court." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo CMC commissioner Anam Charan Patra, who was present in virtual mode, assured to enforce the court's stay order by taking necessary steps to protect the entire area immediately. He said barbed wire fencing with iron/concrete pillars will be installed to prevent vending/other activities there. Taking it on record, the bench directed the CMC commissioner to file a detailed affidavit regarding the steps taken to carry out the court's May 20 order when the matter is taken up for hearing on June 30. Three students — Aroop Kumar Deo, Sarvani Sahoo and Ambika Prasad Jena — filed a PIL seeking intervention against construction of the vending zone. Though the PIL was scheduled for June 30, the vacation bench took it up on Friday after advocate Prasanna Kumar Nanda, representing the petitioners, made urgent mention alleging that vending zone construction was going on in violation of the court's May 20 stay order. Later on special notice, Patra and DCP (Cuttack) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo appeared through virtual mode. Inspector in-charge of Malgodown police station, Suprasanna Kumar Mallick, also joined from the spot where the construction activities were allegedly going on in contravention of the interim order. Mallick showed live video footage of the construction that involved covering some portion of the vending zone cabins with galvanised iron roof. Patra expressed helplessness and conceded that some hooligans have started construction in violation of the court's order. Expressing displeasure, the bench said that from such submission of CMC commissioner, it is apparent that the allegations made by the counsel for the petitioners are "prima facie correct". DCP (Cuttack) also assured to ensure compliance of the court's interim order in letter and spirit and anyone who tries to violate it shall be appropriately dealt with in accordance with law.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha HC directs collector of Jajpur to stop mining in Balarampur PRF
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Friday directed Jajpur collector to ensure mining operations are stopped at the six black stone quarries leased out inside Balarampur Protected Reserve Forest (PRF) under Dharmasala tehsil in the district. The vacation bench of Justices SK Sahoo and MS Sahoo also directed the collector to file a detailed affidavit on the action taken to stop the extraction of black stone at the quarries which were leased out by an auction notice on September 17, 2021. The bench issued the direction after collector P Anvesha Reddy made submissions regarding action taken on the letter of the divisional forest officer (DFO), Cuttack on September 20, 2024, requesting to cancel permits for mining from the six black stone quarries. The quarries were verified and found to be operating inside Balarampur Protected Reserve Forest in violation of Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Reddy, who was present in virtual mode on the court's order, claimed that after receiving the letter from the DFO, steps have been taken to stop mining at all the six quarries. The mining officer, Jajpur, had issued letters to the leaseholders to stop extraction on October 9, 2024. But, Reddy failed to give any definite reply as to whether mining operations at the six quarries had been stopped or were still continuing. The court was hearing a PIL alleging inaction against the quarry operations over 28 acres inside the PRF area in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Pitabas Dash and three other residents of nearby villages filed the petition. Appearing on the petitioners' behalf, senior advocate Subir Palit alleged that in spite of the DFO's communication to the collector, the quarrying operations are still continuing and resulting in extensive and massive pilferage of resources and government revenue on daily basis in addition to the damage to the environment and public health. The bench scheduled the matter for further consideration on June 24, directing the collector to file a detailed affidavit by then.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC seeks reply from govt on appointing regular VC of Baripada univ
Cuttack: Orissa high court on Tuesday sought a reply from the state govt on a PIL seeking intervention for appointment of a regular vice-chancellor of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University , Baripada. Accordingly, the vacation bench of Justices S K Sahoo and M S Sahoo directed the state counsel to take instructions and scheduled the matter to the week starting on June 30 for hearing. HC lawyer Prabir Kumar Das (60), who filed the petition, appeared in-person and submitted that the university is functioning without a regular VC since Nov 2022. Das further submitted that the governor, chancellor of state universities, had appointed the VC of Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, as in-charge VC of the Baripada university in a notification issued on Dec 7, 2022. Section 6 (10) of the Odisha University Act, 1989 mandates that where it is not practicable to fill up the post of vice-chancellor, the chancellor may appoint the VC of another public university for a period not exceeding one year. As the in-charge VC took charge on Dec 14, 2022, his appointment was valid till Dec 13, 2023. Hence his continuance is without any authority of law, Das argued. According to the petition, though the state higher education department had issued an advertisement for the appointment of VC of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, no follow-up action has been taken, according to information obtained under the RTI Act.
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Orissa HC to monitor installation of vital equipment in SCBMCH
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Friday decided to monitor progress of installation of MRI and CT scan machines along with other high-end equipment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) here. The division bench of Justices SK Sahoo and V Narasingh directed the superintendent of SCBMCH to file affidavits regarding status of operation of the MRI machine for neurosurgery department and CT scan machine for the radiodiagnosis department when the matter is taken up next on June 19. The bench also directed the superintendent to file by then an affidavit on status of operation of visual perimeter for ophthalmology department. The court was hearing a PIL on delay in installation of much required equipment in SCBMCH. The bench sought the affidavits after Senior Advocate Bibhu Prasad Tripathy representing the Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd (OSMCL) informed the Court about status of status of procurement of the equipment. On the basis of written instructions, Tripathy informed that the purchase order for the 3T MRI machine and two Slice CT scan machines was issued on January 29, 2025, and the timeline for supply of the machines to SCBMCH is by end of May.
