Utkal varsity VC

Bhubaneswar: Governor M.C. Bhandare is scheduled to meet the three candidates recommended by the search committee for the post of Utkal University's vice-chancellor on Tuesday. he committee, comprising former chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) P.C. Hota, governor’s representative Srinibas Sahu and professor P.N. Verghese had recommended the names of professor R.C. Mohanty and professor P.K. Sahu of Utkal University, and professor R.K. Chouhan, secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Delhi for this coveted slot. However, Bhandare, who is also the chancellor of Utkal University, reserves the right either to select one of them or pick someone from the list of over 90 candidates who had applied for the post. This included 20 candidates from the university itself, out of which two — Mohanty and Sahu — made it to the final three.

Maoist held

Bhubaneswar: Police on Monday reportedly nabbed Katru, a Maoist leader, from the Similpada area in Koraput. He was nabbed along with four other rebels during a raid. Katru alias Bhumi is known to be one of the top Maoist leaders of Andra Pradesh. There are more than 30 cases against him in Orissa. This is believed to be the first big catch by the administration after the abduction of Malkangiri collector V. Krishna.

Mutt case

Puri: The mahant of Emar Mutt, Rajgopal Ramanuj Das, who was on remand for three days was on Monday sent back to jail. Police had arrested the mahant in connection with the loot of silver ingots from the mutt and forwarded him to court along with others Police said the mahant had given some vital clues about the treasure trove.

Three killed

Sambalpur: Three persons were killed and two others left injured after lighting stuck them at Tangarpali of Tura Panchayat in Bargarh district. The deceased have been identified as Belarsingh Herman, Indra Barik and Biki Chatla. The injured, Girdhar Dip and Sudam Pasa, have been admitted to Bargarh Hospital. They were taking shelter inside a temple in Tangarpali to escape rain when the lightening stuck them.

Molester held

Kendrapara: A 66-year-old man was on Monday arrested for allegedly trying to outrage the modesty of a 35-year-old housewife in Pandia village under Patkura police jurisdiction. He was later handed over to police and forwarded to court.

Negligence

Bhubaneswar: Tension mounted at the Hirakud Government Hospital in Sambalpur after hospital authorities administered a patient with a saline that had crossed the expiry date. The matter was found out after the patient Ranjana Dash complained of head reeling. While the patient's family alleged medical negligence, the hospital authorities admitted to the mistake. They, however, said that the patient was alright.