Farmer suicides 

Bhubaneswar: Special relief commissioner G.V.V. Sharma on Thursday said that the government had received allegations of 41 farmers' deaths from different parts of the state. Sharma said the allegations mentioned in the district collectors' reports on drought-hit districts were being examined. Around 139 blocks in 21 districts have been affected by drought. He also said that action would be taken against private moneylenders extending loans to farmers.

Cop held

Sonepur: One more person was arrested on Thursday in the Makhunu Bag murder case in Bargarh. Police arrested a constable of Bheden police station, identified as Pramod Sahu, for his alleged complicity in the case. Two other policemen from the same police station, sub-inspector Soumya Patra and assistant sub-inspector Pitambar Behera, were arrested on Wednesday  for their alleged involvement in Bag’s death.

Firearm 

Bhubaneswar: Mancheswar police on Thursday arrested one youth for illegal possession of firearm. Police arrested Siddhanta Mohanty, 25, and seized a pistol and six rounds of live ammunition from him. Police said that the arrest and seizure took place when the youth had gone to Pandara to help someone take possession of a piece of land. 

Ration cards

Baripada: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the distribution of ration cards under the Food Security Act at Baripada.  He said government considered Mayurbhanj district to be drought-affected and said compensation would be given to the people. He also distributed laptops to students.