Harihar Swain betrayed people of Ganjam and Orissa

Orissa is in the news for wrong reasons yet again. BJD MP Harihar Swain, who was elected from Aska constituency with the support of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, not only betrayed the party, but also betrayed the people of Orissa and Ganjam district, in particular. Swain, after reaching Bhubaneswar, said that he voted for the government to settle scores with CM Naveen Patnaik. What an irony!

Harihar Swain said that he wanted to give Naveen Patnaik 'the shock of his life' and termed his vote for the UPA government as a 'shock treatment' for Naveen Patnaik. But is he prepared to get the biggest shock of his life, which will come during the next parliamentary elections? With a "betrayer" tag, it won't be a surprise if loses the next elections by a huge margin. He is all set to join the Congress Party and contest on their ticket. Meanwhile, the BJD has written to the LS Speaker to disqualify Harihar Swain from the membership of Lok Sabha for his anti-party activity and cross-voting defying the party whip.

BJD MP Harihar Swain expelled from the Party for voting in favour of UPA

The BJD-BJP combine has a strong alliance in Orissa. But it's an irony that BJD MP Harihar Swain defied the party whip, secretly colluded with the Congress and voted in favour of the UPA government during the trust vote in Lok Sabha. Mr. Swain has been expelled from the party with immediate effect.

The BJD supremo and Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik once again proved that he would never tolerate indiscipline within the party. Although at least 12 - 15 MPs switched sides during the trust vote, Naveen Patnaik was the first to act against an indisciplined party MP.

Shibu Soren demands Greater Jharkhand with 3 districts each from Orissa and West Bengal

JMM supremo Shibu Soren emerged as the top bargainer ahead of UPA government's trust vote. Soren has five MPs in Lok Sabha. In return of his support to the government, he has already received assurance of a cabinet berth and one MoS berth. He will be given the charge of his favourite Coal Ministry. If that was not enough, Soren demanded the creation of a Greater Jharkhand with three districts each from Orissa and West Bengal.

While Soren demanded the inclusion of Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar to Greater Jharkhand, his party MP from Orissa, Sudam Marandi went a step further by demanding the inclusion of Sambalpur district too. The JMM want Midnapore, Purulia and Bankuda districts from West Bengal. It would be interesting to see if the Congress-led UPA government would sacrifice the interest of Orissa and Oriya people to stay in power.

24 Orissa Policemen killed in Malkanagiri, as Maoists blow up Van

Less than a month after the daring ambush made by the Maoists in Balimela Reservoir, that killed 38 Greyhound and Orissa security personnel, the Maoists blew up the anti-landmine van carrying the police personnel. At least 24 cops including two Inspectors are feared dead in the gruesome incident. The cops were engaged in landmine cleaning operation when the blast took place near MV-126 in Malkangiri.

The incident sent shock wave across the Malkangiri district and Orissa. The CM has condemned the incident and announced a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh each for each bereaved family. In addition, at least one member from each family will get a government job.

A high level delegation is leaving for Malkangiri to take stock of the situation. The Orissa government has called in an emergency meeting of high profile officials to discuss the situation in Malkangiri and how the deal with the Naxal menace. According to the latest reports, fierce encounter is still going on between the security personnel and naxalites.

Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan sworn in as new Chief Justice of Orissa High Court

Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan has been sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. He is the 22nd Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. The post was lying vacant since May 2008. Justice Chauhan was a judge of Allahabad High Court. He was administered the oath of office by acting governor Sayeed Sibte Razi. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other dignitaries were present at the swearing-in-ceremony.

Naveen talks tough, asks District Collectors to ensure proper implementation of Rice Scheme

Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik decided to talk tough and asked all district collectors in the state to ensure proper implementation of the newly introduced Rice Scheme for the BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. The scheme will be introduced from August 1, 2008. Under the new scheme, all BPL families and the APL families in KBK will receive 25 kg of rice per month at Rs 2 per kg. The SC and ST students staying in hostels will also be covered under the scheme.

The CM's decisions to talk tough came in the wake of reports that benefits of the newly introduced scheme may not even reach the poor. The CM warned the fraud dealers and storage agents with strong action, if they are found manipulating the civil supplies systems. According to the CM, strong action will also be taken against erring government employees. Mr. Naveen Patnaik stressed on the need of a tough complaint redressal mechanism at all district, subdivision and block levels.

Puri Rath Yatra concludes, Deities return Home

The world famous Rath Yatra in Puri concluded with the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra returning to their abode during the Bahuda Yatra. Hundreds of thousands of people descended on Puri to attend the Bahuda Yatra.

The devotees pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra amid tight security arrangements. Unlike the Rath Yatra, the Bahuda Yatra went off peacefully.

Operation Alampakka: All 38 bodies recovered from Balimela Reservoir

The Operation Alampakka launched 14 days ago, came to an end with the recovery of the last dead body from Balimela Reservoir at Chitrakonda. With this, all 38 dead bodies of security personnel killed in Maoist ambush, have been retrieved from the water.

Although the boat was taken out of the water after using imported balloons a few days ago, the rescue team kept searching for the three remaining dead bodies. They finally used explosives inside the water, which caused vibration and the dead bodies started floating above the water. Out of the 66 Greyhound and Orissa police personnel, who were travelling in that ill-fated boat, 28 swam ashore, while 38 were killed.

Kandhamal Tense, Orissa on High Alert

Tension remained tense for the second consecutive day, after Bula Baba of Jalespatta Vanavasi Kalyam Ashrama, who is a disciple of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, was attacked by some converted Christian youth while he was protesting against the cow-slaughter in public. The Christian youth not only beat him up mercilessly, but also put the cow-blood on his body. They also broke his cell phone from which he was taking snaps of cow-slaughter. Bula Baba has been admitted to the hospital in a critical condition.

The incident occurred at Malipada near Tumudibandh. The incident triggered anger and tension in that area. Hindu activists belonging to VHP, RSS and Bajarang Dal damaged the Churches, houses of Christians in that area. They also beat up a Father of the Church and seized beef from his fridge. The security personnel were rushed in to maintain law and order. Section 144 was imposed in many areas of Kandhamal district. The situation is tense, but under control.

The VHP had called a 12-hour bandh in Kandhamal against the cow-slaughter and attack on Hindus. The bandh evoked huge response from the public. Shops, schools and banks were closed during the bandh and vehicles were off the road. The bandh affected Tumudibandha, Baliguda, Kotagarh, Raikia, G. Udaygiri and Phulbani. The VHP and other Hindu groups have threatened to intensify their agitation if the culprits are not brought into book immediately.

Times of India: Japanese Tourists molested in Puri during Rath Yatra

The Times Of India has come up with a shocking report of molestation of a group of Japanese tourists in Puri during Rath Yatra. According to the report, the tourists were molested by a group of 30 people. The women were assaulted, the men were beaten and they were robbed of their valuables including digital camera, mobile phone and money.

According to the Japanese tourists, some policemen were around, but did not come to their rescue. The visitors have decided not to lodge police complaints, as they have no faith on the local police. They have also decided not to attend any Indian festival in future. Read the full story here.

Operation Alampakka ends, More bodies recovered

The 10-day old Operation Alampakka in the Balimela Reservoir finally came to an end, as the sunken boat was brought to the coast. The security personnel recovered a few more bodies from the boat. With this, 30 dead bodies have been recovered so far. 5 jawans are still missing. The authorities have decided to launch fresh search operations to locate them dead or alive.

Naveen Patnaik in Poll Mode, to supply 25 kg Rice at Rs 2 per kg to BPL Families

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is a poll mode. It became evident, when he announced that Orissa government would supply 25 kg rice per month at Rs. 2 per kg to all BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in the state. The new announcement will help around 55,55,000 families in Orissa. The families covered under the Antodaya scheme, tribal hostels and the APL families in the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts will get rice at the same rate. With elections due in early 2009, this sudden development has put the opposition in a tight spot.

According to sources, after announcing a few more populist measures, the CM may recommend the dissolution of the assembly and may go for early elections. With the Congress yet to project a leader as its Chief Ministerial candidate, Naveen is hopeful of winning another term in office. The new announcement has come as a major relief for the poor, who are finding it tough to combat the rising food prices. The government has to bear an additional cost of Rs. 800 crore per year, as a fallout of this announcement.

Operation Alampakka: Sunken Boat recovered in Balimela Reservoir

After eight days rigorous search and combing operations, the Air Force and Navy personnel finally succeeded in recovering the ill-fated the boat that had sunk near Alampakka village in Balimela Reservoir. While the rescue team found one more dead body of a Greyhound jawan near the Ghat, some dead bodies are believed to be inside the boat.

The combing operation launched by IAF, Navy, Orissa Police, SOG and Andhra Police was completely hi-tech. Special baloon lifters were brought from Singapore. The sunken boat was lifted from 143 feet inside the waters. The rescue jawans have been doing a commendable job despite difficult terrain, hostile weather and fear of crocodiles. 24 dead bodies have been recovered so far from Balimela Reservoir. However, 13 more jawans are still missing.

Puri Rath Yatra: 6 People die in Stampede

Breaking News! The much-awaited Rath Yatra in Puri, began on a disastrous note, as at least 6 people died and 12 injured in a stampede near Devi Subhadra's chariot. Three women are among the dead. Despite the claims made by the Puri administration, a stampede took place, which exposed the mismanagement of the whole affair.

The injured have been rushed to the hospital and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Further details are awaited. Situation is said to be under control and Yatra would take place as per the schedule. The state government has announced Rs. 1 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The government would bear the medical expenses of the injured. According to estimates, over 10 lakh people have gathered at Puri to get a glimpse of the deities on this auspicious occasion.

12-year old boy in Orissa pushed out of Train for Rs. 50 (US$1.2), loses limbs

In a bizarre incident that sent shock wave across India, a 12-year old boy in Orissa's Rourkela was pushed out of a moving train for not paying Rs. 50 ($1.2) to a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). The victim Shankar Singh has been admitted to a hospital. He is in a critical condition and already lost his leg and hand. An FIR has been registered against the TTE Naveneet Mishra, who has been arrested on Friday.

According to sources, the boy was sweeping a compartment of a train where he found a Rs. 50 ($2) note. The TTE asked the boy to hand over the note, saying it accidentally fell from his pocket. When the boy refused, he slapped him and pushed out of the moving train. The Orissa government has announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh ($2380) for the victim and assured that it would bear all medical expenses of the boy.