As per reports, mining officer Jagan Behera was informed about illegal mining of laterite stones at Gudam on the outskirts of Khurda. Behera informed the police and rushed to the spot along with some officials.

He told the people engaged in extraction of the stones to stop the mining and produce official permission for mining. But the latter attacked him with mining equipment and also damaged his official car.

However, the police reached there in time and rescued Behere. The mining officer was rushed to district headquarters hospital at Khurda. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. Police have filed a case in this regard.

Though the assailants managed to escape from the spot, the police have detained two persons on suspicion and are questioning them about involvement of others in the attack.

The police have also started conducting raids on different places in the town and nearby areas to trace the attackers and the people engaged in illegal stone mining.

The deceased has been identified as Rasmiranjan Baliarsingh, a Jatra artist who was residing in the village. The accused, Somnath Lath of Chandanpur area in Puri district, is also an artist.

Police attributed the brutal murder to a suspected love triangle. Somnath moved in with Rasmiranjan in 2017 and soon they developed a physical relationship. Rasmiranjan, however, later fell in love with a fellow actress and started ignoring Somnath. On January 2, a heated argument ensued between them and in a fit of rage, the spurned lover picked a iron rod and hit Rasmiranjan in the head, killing his on the spot. Somnath then stole some cash and jewellery and fled in a motorcycle.

During investigation, police came to know about their affair. “Somnath was arrested from Jaipur and he has confessed to the crime,” Murmu added.

In a letter to general manager, East Coast Railway (ECoR), Bhubaneswar, the Ministry stated that it has sanctioned opening of passenger halt station at Taraboi between Khurda Road and Khurda Town stations in Khurda division.

“Sanction of the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) is hereby accorded for opening of a halt station at Taraboi at KM No. 7.409 in between Khurda Road (KUR) and Khurda Town (KURT) stations in KUR Division, East Coast Railway, on passenger amenity ground,” the letter read.

The approval has been granted with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

In a notification issued on Monday, Shalini Pandit, secretary, Health and Family Welfare department said the government has approved establishment of a 100-bed hospital at Begunia.

The government would provide necessary infrastructural and manpower resources before the hospital starts functioning, she added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took a historic decision to resolve the ‘khasmahal’ land issue in Jatni area of Khurda district. He has given direction to resolve the ‘khasmahal’ land problem and distribute pattas (RoR) to the people.

The decision came following 5T Secretary V P Pandian’s visit to Khurda district where he had received several land-related grievances from the people. ‘Khasmahal’ land issue was among the problems which came to his knowledge.

People had apprised him about the long-standing problem in the area and the 5T Secretary informed the Chief Minister about the issue. A high-level meeting was held on Monday on the direction of the Chief Minister to settle the issue.

Chief Secretary P K Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue department, Satyabrat Sahu, Khurda Collector, V K Pandian and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

Khurda district Collector was asked to take steps to find a permanent solution to the land-related issue within three months and distribute pattas to the people in December, this year. The decision taken by the government will benefit 537 families, an official release said.

Similarly, problems related to land ownership are being faced in Bhubaneswar for the last over 60 years. As many as 10543 cases are pending before different revenue courts. It was decided at the meeting that the problem would be solved on the basis of the SOP laid down by the Task Force of the Revenue department.

The projects will be operationalised in phases from January 2024. He directed the officials concerned to ensure quality of work and timely completion.

Pandian also reviewed the progress of Integrated Development Plan of Ugratara Shakti Pitha Temple being renovated at a cost of Rs. 19 crore at Tangi and development of Maa Bhagabati temple at a cost of Rs. 19 crore in Banpur
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He reviewed the progress of some other important projects like construction of Fish Landing Centre at a cost of Rs. 35 Cr at Kalupadaghat in Tangi and Sorana in Chilika, construction of New CHC at a cost of Rs. 7 Cr in Banpur, Construction of Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium at a cost of Rs 12 Cr at Banpur and Balugaon. These projects would be completed in phases from August 2023 onwards.

Later, he interacted with Mission Shakti Groups at Khordha and assured them all support from the government for their activities. He visited Mission Shakti Café at Khordha and appreciated their initiative. He emphasized that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has high priority for women empowerment. He directed the Collector to facilitate the awareness about the interest free loans and also to organise loan melas at Panchayat level.

He also reviewed the progress of the Water Supply Projects at a cost of Rs. 16 Cr to Balugaon NAC and Banpur NAC which would commence soon. This project would solve the water supply issues in both the NACs.

Pandian informed the public regarding the sanction of Construction of Nirakarpur Fly Over Bridge at a cost of Rs. 58 Cr in Tangi Block and Construction of new 132/33 KV Grid Substation at a cost of Rs. 52 Cr at Bolgarh which would commence soon. This would mitigate the low voltage issue in Bolgarh and Begunia Block.

During the day, he participated in the Public Grievance Meetings at Begunia, Khordha and Banpur. He interacted with the public regarding their grievances. He emphasised that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gives top priority towards citizen grievances and assured early resolution of the petitions submitted.

Special Secretary to CM R. Vineel Krishna, IG Ashish Singh, Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarty, SP Siddharth Kataria and other district level officials accompanied him during his visit.

This was stated by Secretary to CM (5T) V K Pandian when he interacted with the college students of Khurda district at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar on Monday as per the direction of the Chief Minister.

During the programme, Pandian conveyed the vision of the Chief Minister for creating of “Nua Odisha” and efforts towards transformation of the state. He emphasised that the students will be the main force towards making of a “Nua Odisha” and motivated them to aim high and work hard to achieve the goals, an official release said.

The 5T Secretary assured support of government towards providing them all facilities for their studies. He encouraged them to focus on personality development. Physical fitness and mental strength are key parameters of success. He asked them to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day and do meditation for 15 minutes daily.

Students from the government and aided colleges in of the district attended the programme.

However, the programme evoked criticism from different circles, including opposition political parties and some sections of students.

State Congress student wing president Yashir Nawaz alleged that independence of college campus has come under attack and students are being forced to participate political activities of the ruling party in the state.

Using coercive methods to drag students into political activities is not healthy for democracy, he said. Moreover, the students had been told that they would be interacting with the Chief Minister, but it was the 5T secretary who addressed them, he said.

A student of BJB College, Bhubaneswar claimed that Biju Chhatra Janata Dal activists threatened the students and forced them to attend the event at Janata Maidan.