Category: News

Sambalpur, June 23 (UDN): Three persons have been detained in connection with the assault of a youth from Kerala who was allegedly attacked by a mob in Sambalpur city on suspicion of being a child lifter, police said on Monday.

According to police, a case was registered at Khetrajpur police station based on a complaint filed by ASI Surya Narayan Das. Sambalpur Additional SP Ajay Kumar Mishra confirmed that three individuals have been detained after being identified through CCTV footage and viral video clips of the incident.

The victim, identified as Vishnu Shibu from Kerala, was working as a labourer under a contractor in Bargarh district. Police said he had recently left his job and had come to Sambalpur in search of work when the incident occurred at Dhobapada Square.

Mishra stated that some locals allegedly assaulted him after suspecting him of involvement in criminal activity linked to child lifting rumours. He added that a language barrier may have further escalated the misunderstanding, as the youth was unable to communicate with the crowd.

The victim was rescued by police and taken to hospital for medical examination. Officials said he did not suffer any major injuries and was later sent back to his native place after receiving primary treatment.

Police added that the detained persons were identified based on video footage circulating on social media and CCTV recordings from the area. A detailed investigation is underway to identify others involved in the incident.

The video of the assault had gone viral on social media, showing a group of youths attacking the labourer while bystanders attempted to check his belongings.

The incident comes days after a similar case in Rayagada district, where two women from Delhi were allegedly assaulted on suspicion of being child lifters, prompting renewed concern over the spread of rumours leading to mob violence in the state.

Gandhinagar, June 23: Leaders in Gujarat paid floral tributes to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on his death anniversary, honouring his contribution to nation-building and public life.

On the occasion, public representatives and party leaders remembered Mukherjee’s role in strengthening democratic values and his commitment to national integration. They described him as a visionary leader whose ideals continue to inspire public service and governance.

Tribute programmes were organised across several parts of the state, where leaders and citizens gathered to offer respects and reflect on his legacy.

Speakers highlighted that Mukherjee’s principles and dedication to the nation remain relevant even today, especially in the context of unity and development.

The commemorative events concluded with calls to uphold his ideals and continue working towards national progress.

Rayagada, June 23 (UDN): The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken strong cognisance of the mob assault on a non-Odia woman in Odisha’s Rayagada district after she was falsely suspected of being involved in child lifting, and has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha.

Acting on its own initiative, the NCW has directed the state police chief to submit a detailed report, including a copy of the FIR, progress of investigation, and action taken against those involved in the assault as well as individuals responsible for spreading the rumour that triggered the violence.

The Commission has also sought information on the victim’s medical treatment, counselling support, and safety arrangements for volunteers and interns associated with NGOs working in the region.

The case has also come under the purview of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), with petitions alleging administrative and police lapses in controlling the rumour and preventing the attack. The petitions have named the Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, DGP, Rayagada SP, and District Collector as respondents, seeking strict action against the accused, compensation for the victim, and psychological support.

State Women’s Commission Chairperson Shobhana Mohanty termed the incident “shocking and inhumane,” noting that the victim, who has since returned to Delhi, has recorded her statement via video conferencing. She also said efforts are underway to ensure filing of a charge sheet within 60 days and trial in a fast-track court.

Additional Director General of Police (Crime Against Women and Children Wing) S. Saini said the investigation is being treated on a priority basis and will be closely monitored, with plans for a fast-track trial.

Police said the victim was allegedly misled by an individual for directions, who later spread false rumours branding her as a child kidnapper, triggering the mob attack. The alleged mastermind behind the misinformation has been arrested, and investigators are examining multiple video clips to identify other accused. A Test Identification (TI) parade is also being considered.

So far, 25 people have been arrested in connection with the case. While 24 accused have already been produced before court, another arrest was made recently. Several residents of Intaliguda village have reportedly fled the area fearing further arrests.

Rayagada Superintendent of Police Rajprasad visited Intaliguda Chhak in Kalyansinghpur to review the situation, met individuals who rescued the victim, and commended their intervention. Additional police forces have been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest.

Authorities have urged the public not to circulate rumours, warning of strict action against those spreading misinformation.

New Delhi, June 23: Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and equities together account for nearly 80% of the wealth held by digital investors in India, according to a recent report.

The findings highlight a strong preference among retail investors for market-linked instruments, reflecting growing financial awareness and increasing participation in capital markets through digital platforms.

The report notes that SIPs have become a key entry point for long-term wealth creation, particularly among young and first-time investors. Equities, meanwhile, continue to attract significant interest due to their potential for higher returns compared to traditional savings instruments.

Experts attribute this trend to rising financial literacy, easier access to digital investment platforms, and a shift in investor behaviour towards disciplined, long-term investing. The growing adoption of fintech solutions has also made investing more convenient and transparent.

Analysts believe this shift indicates a structural change in India’s investment landscape, with more individuals moving away from traditional savings and toward diversified, market-linked portfolios.

Overall, the report underscores the increasing dominance of SIPs and equities in shaping the wealth-building strategies of India’s digital investor base.

Bhubaneswar, June 23 (UDN): The Odisha Government has officially notified revised English spellings for several districts, towns, and administrative blocks across the state in an effort to better align them with their original Odia pronunciation and linguistic roots.

Representational image

Under the updated nomenclature, several prominent place names will now be represented in official English records as follows: Cuttack will be spelt as Kataka, Balasore as Baleshwar, Berhampur as Brahmapur, Khurda as Khordha, and Rourkela as Raurkela.

Officials said the decision has been taken to preserve Odisha’s linguistic heritage and ensure that government records, signage, and official communications more accurately reflect the authentic Odia names of places.

The revised spellings will be implemented across administrative documents, maps, and public communication systems in a phased manner by various government departments.

The move is expected to strengthen cultural identity and promote uniformity in the representation of place names across official platforms.

The government has not commented on public reactions yet, though the decision is likely to generate discussions among residents, historians, and language experts on its cultural and practical implications.

Bhubaneswar, June 23 (UDN): Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday launched simultaneous searches at seven locations associated with Padmalochan Nayak, Executive Engineer of the Command Area Development Authority (CADA), Sambalpur Division, over allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Acting on allegations of amassing disproportionate assets, Vigilance officials conducted the raids on the strength of search warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Judge, Sambalpur.

The search operation is being carried out by a team comprising four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 13 Inspectors, seven Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), and other supporting staff.

The simultaneous raids are underway at Nayak’s rented residence at Dhanupali in Sambalpur, his triple-storeyed residential building at Bidyadharpur in Cuttack, and a double-storeyed house at Mukhalis under Basta police limits in Balasore district.

In addition, Vigilance officials are also conducting searches at Nayak’s office chamber in Dhanupali, two premises linked to his associates in Cuttack city, and another property associated with one of his associates at Kalimela in Malkangiri district.

During the searches, officials are verifying documents related to movable and immovable assets, bank deposits, investments and other financial transactions to ascertain whether the assets are disproportionate to Nayak’s known sources of income.

Further details regarding the assets unearthed during the raids are awaited as the searches are still in progress.

Visakhapatnam, June 23: Two people were killed after a fire broke out at a chemical factory located in Pharma City near Visakhapatnam, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred at a manufacturing unit within the industrial zone, leading to an emergency response by fire services and other rescue teams. Efforts were made to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby facilities.

Authorities confirmed that two fatalities were reported in the incident, while further details regarding injuries or the exact cause of the fire are yet to be officially released. An investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

Emergency teams were deployed immediately, and safety measures were intensified in surrounding industrial units as a precautionary step.

Officials said a detailed probe will be conducted to assess compliance with safety norms and prevent such incidents in the future.

The situation is now under control, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

New Delhi, June 23: Northern Railways, in collaboration with Indus Towers, has strengthened access to women’s hygiene facilities across 175 railway stations, marking a significant step towards improving sanitation and passenger comfort.

The initiative focuses on enhancing hygiene infrastructure for women travellers by improving availability and accessibility of clean and safe sanitation facilities at key railway stations. The project aims to ensure better hygiene standards, especially for women passengers during long-distance and daily travel.

Officials said the collaboration reflects a broader commitment to improving passenger amenities and promoting inclusive infrastructure across the railway network. By prioritising women’s hygiene needs, the initiative seeks to create a safer and more comfortable travel experience for female passengers.

The partnership between Northern Railways and Indus Towers is part of ongoing efforts to modernise railway infrastructure and align it with improved public health and hygiene standards. It also supports the larger goal of making railway stations more inclusive and passenger-friendly.

Authorities added that continued focus on sanitation and passenger welfare will remain a key priority in upcoming infrastructure upgrades across the railway system.

The development underscores the growing emphasis on collaborative public-private efforts to enhance essential services and improve travel experiences across India’s railway network.

New Delhi, June 23: On the occasion of International Olympic Day, ICC Chairman Jay Shah called for greater emphasis on sports as a catalyst for unity, inspiration, and empowerment, highlighting its role in shaping healthier and more inclusive societies.

Marking the day, Shah said sport goes far beyond competition, acting as a powerful force that builds character, discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He stressed that regular participation in sports can significantly improve both physical and mental well-being, while also strengthening social bonds across communities.

Reiterating the Olympic spirit, Shah underlined that sports have the unique ability to bring people together across backgrounds and borders, promoting values of friendship, respect, and fair play. He encouraged young people to actively engage in sports, noting that early participation helps build confidence and lays the foundation for long-term personal and professional growth.

He also highlighted the importance of creating stronger sporting ecosystems at the grassroots level, adding that access to facilities, training, and encouragement is essential to nurturing future champions. According to him, sustained investment in sports development can play a key role in nation-building and in inspiring the next generation.

International Olympic Day is observed globally to celebrate the founding of the modern Olympic movement and to promote the values of sport and physical activity. Shah’s message aligned with this global theme, reinforcing the idea of “unite, inspire and empower” through sport.

The statement reflects the growing recognition of sports as a key pillar of holistic development, well-being, and social progress.

New Delhi, June 23: Team India has departed for its upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England, marking the start of an important overseas assignment.

The tour will see India compete in a series of limited-overs matches as part of preparations for upcoming international tournaments. The squad includes a mix of senior players and young talent, aimed at maintaining balance between experience and emerging prospects.

Players and support staff left from New Delhi amid positive expectations, with the team focusing on adapting to English conditions and building momentum ahead of a packed international schedule.

The coaching staff is expected to use the tour to assess squad depth, test combinations, and strengthen performance in challenging overseas conditions.

Cricket experts view the series as a key opportunity for India to fine-tune its white-ball strategy and gain valuable match practice against strong international opposition.

The tour is expected to play an important role in shaping team combinations and performance benchmarks for future global events.