Ban lifted

• Bhubaneswar: The home department has decided to allow foreigners into the state’s tribal areas after four year as part of extending its tourism industry. The government had banned foreigners from entering into tribal areas in 2012 after Maoists abducted two Italian nationals.   

Gajbhiye

• Bhubaneswar: IPS officer Satish Gajbhiye on Thursday withdrew his plea from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) challenging his suspension over police brutality. The move comes after the CAT rejected three petitions filed by the former Kendrapara police superintendent challenging his suspension order.

Naveen plea

• Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday wrote to Union railways minister Suresh Prabhu to expedite the pending state’s railway projects and also include new provisions in the upcoming budget.

Bail for Panda 

• Cuttack: Orissa High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda’s wife Subhashree, in connection with charges of sedition and incitement of violence. She was granted bail on a Rs 20,000 bond and two sureties on surrender.