Naidu in state

Bhubaneswar: Senior BJP leader and Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu will attend the “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikash Sammelen” being held on Monday in Salia Sahi area here. Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also scheduled to join the programme.

Radha Mohan

Bhubaneswar: Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh on Sunday met jawans injured in the recent Maoist attack at MKCG Hospital. Singh urged the rebels to shun violence and join the mainstream. He also attended a “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” event in Ganjam.

Cop in vigilance net

Bhubaneswar: Vigilance sleuths on Sunday caught a police officer in Kalahandi district while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 to release a criminal on bail. The accused has been identified as Sibanarayan Dip, an assistant sub-inspector. According to reports, the sleuths from the state vigilance department apprehended Dip while he accepting the bribe from Bhairaba Jagat, an accused, with an assurance to release him on bail.   

Kids branded

Bhubaneswar: An 18-month-old girl and a 12-day-old boy were reportedly branded with hot iron in Keonjhar to cure them. While the girl, who hails from Patapani Sahi under Sadar block, was branded with hot iron by her father to cure the swelling of her stomach, the toddler's grandmother branded him as his umbilical cord had swollen up. Both of them have been admitted to the district headquarters hospital for treatment.

Sand mafia 

Bhubaneswar: Local residents on Sunday detained the tehsildar of Jaleswar in Balasore district for not being able to apprehend the sand mafia in the district's Makidia area. Sources said some sand mafia had come from Bengal to steal sand from Makidia and the tehsildar had been to the place to nab them. However, the villagers detained the official after he failed to nab them and released him only after police intervened.

Rebel held

Bhubaneswar: Rourkela police arrested Maoist leader, identified as Dharamjit Singh, from a village on Sunday morning. According to reports, Dharamjit was involved in many Maoist activities in Odisha and was in the police's list of most wanted rebel leaders. The police said they were also trying to nab a few of his associates, who were believed to be taking shelter in nearby by areas.