Rape cuffs
Baripada: Mayurbhanj police arrested a 27-year-old man on the charges of raping and murder of a 12-year-old girl and produced him in court on Monday. The accused, identified as Timur alias Chamur Tapno, of Sankumrum village in Karanjia, was produced before a special court in Baripada. The incident took place on Thursday. The victim was returning home around 8am on a bicycle from a nearby bus stand when she went missing. Her dead body was found in a nearby forest after search operations by her relatives and villagers. A forensic team, along with a sniffer dog, traced Tapno to his house and took him into custody.
Financial aid
Bhubaneswar: Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena distributed 23 cheques to self-help groups (SHGs) from 21 wards of the city amounting to Rs 2.25 lakh on Monday. Each of the 23 SHGs got Rs 10,000 as one-time funds, which will help group members in manufacturing products such as papads, pickles and paper bags.
Seven held
Sambalpur: Jharsuguda police arrested seven persons in connection with a group clash, which claimed the life of a 40-year-old man. The accused have been identified as Shukru Rohidas, 35, Jhasketan Rohidas, 35, Hiralal Rohidas, 65, Jugal Rohidas, 27, Trilochan Rohidas, 25, Manoj Rohidas, 35 and Arun Rohidas, 30. The incident took place on Saturday when people from two localities — Dharsadhipa and Rohidaspara — clashed over using a pond.
Surrender
Malkangiri: Over 100 Maoists sympathisers surrendered in Malkangiri district on Monday. The rebels from Bara and Sanaguma villages of Kartanpalli panchayat in Mathili came in groups and met the superintendent of police. “They have decided to join the mainstream and we will extend all support,” said a senior police official. In a related development, exchange of fire between the rebels and police personnel was reported during combing operations in the Gochhapada-Ladapadar forests.
Vijaya Bank
Bhadrak: Vijaya Bank opened its first branch in Bhadrak district on Monday. The branch near Bonta Square is the bank’s 25th branch in the state. Siddheswar Patra and Chintamani Oram were among the senior bank officials present at the event.
