Esma for officials

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Monday promulgated the Essential Service Maintenance Act (Esma) to prohibit strikes in the energy sector. Workers of Cesu, Wesco, Southco and Nesco cannot go on a strike. However, officials maintained there was nothing new in it. “As the energy department comes under the essential service act and many parts of the state have been hit by the flood, the order has been promulgated,” said an official.

Hawker killed

Sambalpur: A hawker was reportedly killed at Bamara on Monday after he asked a person to pay dues. The deceased was identified as Chand Deb Choudhury. One Balaram Munda had taken articles worth Rs 2,600 from Chand, but did not pay the amount.

Robotic surgery

Cuttack: The SCB Medical College and Hospital will start robotic surgery for the first time by December, said Dr Dutteswar Hota of the urology department. The health department has prepared a blueprint, and the tender process will begin shortly.

Severed head

Cuttack: Police on Monday found the head of a two-day-old infant in the open space in front of the Orissa High Court Bar Association. Lalbag police has sent the severed head for post-mortem. Investigation is on, police said.

Sex racket

Bhubaneswar: The Quick Action Team and Lingaraj police conducted a raid on Sunday night at Gada Mahavir on the city outskirts and busted a sex racket after arresting two, including a woman, who was the chief operator. Three sex workers were rescued during the raid.

Suicide

Bhubaneswar: A 23-year-old nurse working with the AIIMS, Bhub- aneswar was found hanging from ceiling fanon Monday at the staff quarters of the government-run hospital. The deceased has been identified as Belly Kund, a native of Bengal. Police suspect that the girl committed suicide over family dispute. 

Five found dead

Sundargarh: Five members of a family were found dead inside a house in Basundhara coalmine staff quarters in Hemgiri police limits of Sundargarh. The deceased have been identified as labour contractor Ramprasad Sharma and his family, which included his wife, son and two daughters. Sources said the bodies were discovered after foul smell started emanating from the house, which had reportedly been locked since last Friday. Acting on tip-off from local people, cops recovered the bodies.