State

Pottangi: The annual Rath Yatra was observed in the disputed Kotia panchayat of Koraput district Friday, a day after the festival was celebrated across the state, with local journalists alleging they were not informed in advance by the block administration. Following traditional rituals Thursday, the...

Balangir: A standoff has emerged over the Lower Suktel Dam project in Balangir district, with dozens of tribal families refusing to vacate Kumiapali village despite an official evacuation notice warning that the area could soon be submerged with the rise in the reservoir’s water level....

Bhabanipatana: Internationally acclaimed fashion designer Sujit Meher from Kalahandi district has been invited to showcase his signature Habaspuri silk collection at London Fashion Week, marking the first time the state’s traditional handloom will be presented at the global fashion event. Meher, a native of Chichaiguda...

Kaniha/Debagada: Two elephant calves were found dead in separate forest areas of Anugola and Debagada districts, prompting the Forest Department to launch investigations into the causes of their deaths. In Anugola district, the carcass of a male elephant calf, estimated to be between 18 months...

Patana: Police in Ken dujhar district have arrested a man on charges of raping an 8-year-old girl in the Patana police station area. The accused, identified as Kushunu Munda, 25, of Badabil panchayat, was arrested Friday following a complaint from the victim’s family. According to...

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department Friday forecast heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha for another three days under the impact of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The weather system, which lay over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand and north Odisha...

New Delhi/Anugola: More than 750 hectares of forest land in Odisha's Anugola district is likely to be diverted for mining at the proposed Alakananda coal mine, allotted to Rungta Sons Private Limited. The mining site is about 4.9 kilometres from the Similipal-Satkosia Gorge tiger corridor...

Jharsuguda/Jagatsinghpur: Security was tightened at the district courts in Jharsuguda and Jagatsinghpur Friday after anonymous emails threatened to blow up the court complexes, prompting evacuations and extensive search operations. In Jharsuguda, the threat email sent to the official email account of the district judge claimed...

Kendujhar: The annual Rath Yatra at Sri Baladevjew temple in Kendujhar is distinguished not only by what is regarded as the world’s tallest wooden chariot, but also by its centuries-old Tantric tradition of worshipping the Trinity. The ritual influence of Tantra is most visibly reflected...

Debagada: Six students were allegedly assaulted by their seniors in a ragging incident at the hostel of PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Sunamunda in Debagada district, leaving them injured, police and school authorities said Thursday. According to a complaint, a group of Plus...