Chandragiri tribals on warpath

Over 1,000 tribals of Tibetan refugees-dominated Chandragiri and Mahendragarh in Gajapati district on Saturday gathered at Hatapada.

They resolved to start cultivating ‘their ancestral lands’, occupied by the refugees, from Sunday. CPI(M) State Secretary Janardan Pati, party farmers’ front leader Jagannath Mishra and party leader in Gajapati L Ram Gopal Rao addressed the gathering and mounted a scathing attack on the district bureaucracy and police.

They alleged the authorities had helped Tibetan refugees illegally take possession of nearly 2,400 acres of forest land belonging to tribals.

The tribals brought along their traditional weapons and were led by leader Devraj Beher Dalai and Dalit Adivasi Bikash Samiti president Sambaru Sabar. It was resolved that they would start cultivating the lands to take them back into possession. A serious law and order situation is feared.

Pyari ends speculations

By: Basant Rath, Sr.Journalist.

The ruling BJD MP and party’s senior leader Pyari Mohan Mohapatra has indirectly accepted his “hot and cold” relationship with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

 Mr.Mohapatra, in fact, ended a long standing speculation over his relationship with BJD Supremo as have been reported in media.

“I accept both, regarding rise of my influence in the state as well as fall in relationship with Naveen Babu,” Mr.Mohapatra told reporters replying a question on his reported sour relationship with the Chief Minister.

Mr.Mohapatra, who enjoyed the status of a “Chanakya” in Naveen’s Durbar for 12 long year, of late fell apart from the Chief Minister. The people, who were making beeline at his residence, now fear to enter into Saheed Nagar.

The reason: the fear of Naveen.

Since some days, Naveen had stopped taking advice from his chief strategist over some reason or other. While nobody knows about the cause of difference between the two, it is now evident that both are not pulling well as they used to do barely six months ago.

Becoming emotional, the bureaucrat turned politician said that romance between couple slows down when it becomes old.

“I have relationship with Naveen Babu for over 12 years which is a ‘Yug’,” Mr.Mohapatra said indicating that there was nothing unusual if their relationship slowed down.

Replying a question on the BJD supporting P A Sangma as the presidential candidate, Mohapatra said: “The party president has announced name of Sangma. Therefore it is decision of the entire party.”

Asked whether he would garner support for Sangma, Mr.Mohapatra said: “It is responsibility of the person who named him and not me. Besides, Sangma is there to seek support for him.”

On a question on the BJD not becoming member of the Rajya Sabha Select Committee, Mr.Mohapatra said that the regional party had not requisite number to make into the committee.

However, replying another question, he said: “Why you (media) people are worried. Jayalalithaa is now sister of Naveen Babu....There is nothing wrong if a brother gives dowry to his sister.”

Workshop of the newly elected PRIs held at Nabarangpur.

 A workshop on capacity development of PRI representatives was held here on Thursday at Zilla Parisad conference hall. 

The main aim of the workshop is to generate awareness and capacity development of the elected PRI representatives on Role and Rule Clarity and Responsibility of PRIs, Transparency and Accountability, Financial Management and Accounting, Rural Development Programmes in Panchayati Raj Department, Social Welfare and other Line Department Schemes.

Collector Sibabrata Dash, stressed how Sarpanch’s will shoulder their responsibilities in order to ensure effective implementation of different social welfare schemes. The development process must be supported by rural poor with village panchayats and the best way to find what people need and what they see as possible solutions to their problems is to ask them at the GP level directly. This also creates awareness and willingness among the people to take part in any action that will follow he added.

Zilla Parisad President Motiram Nayak presided over the meeting while PDDRDA, James Eaka, ZP Vice-Chairperson, Nibedita Mohanty, resources persons and  elected representatives of PRIs present at the meeting.

District Level Farmers Day Observed at Nabarangpur.

Basant Rath, Nabarangpur:

Akshaya Tritiya and district level farmers day was celebrated at Nuaguda under Nandahandi block. Zilla Parisad President Motiram Nayak was the chief guest while Collector Sibabrata Dash, presided over the meeting.

A ceremonial procession was brought from the Grama davati of Nuaguda and at the nearby paddy field performed rituals to get good harvest and sow paddy on this auspicious occasion. After the ceremonial sowing of paddy a meeting was also organized at the village

Collector, Sibabrata Dash, presided over the meeting said that the district administration taking all necessary steps in this kharif to provide sufficient seeds and fertilizers to the farmers and the Government was taking steps to ensure that latest technologies reached farmers.

DDA, Brahmarbara Sahu, stressed on improved technologies for the benefit of rice growers which are not only high-yielding but also pest-resistant. Among others ZP Vice-Chairperson, Nibedita Mohanty, BDO and Chairperson of Nandahandi block along with hundreds of farmers present at the meeting.

Retired Govt employees seek end to pension anomalies

THE PIONEER BHUBANESWAR TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 2012 

BASANT RATH | NABARANGPUR

IN A MEETING OF THE RETIRED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION HERE, ITS PRESIDENT DURGA PRASAD RATH FLAYED THE STEP-MOTHERLY ATTITUDE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIXATION OF PENSION FOR THOSE WHO RETIRED BEFORE 2006.

IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE ANOMALY COMMITTEE AND THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF THE STATE FINANCE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE APPROACHED TO SORT OUT THE ANOMALIES IN FIXATION OF THEIR PENSION.

THE MEMBERS EXPRESSED THEIR RESENTMENT OVER THE MATTER THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT WAS YET TO ADOPT THE ORDER OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL (CAT) ON PENSION FOR THOSE WHO RETIRED BEFORE 2006.

THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL HAS DIRECTED THE CENTRE TO RE-FIX THEIR PENSION ON THE BASIS OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SIXTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION.

A THREE-JUDGE BENCH OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL HEADED BY ITS CHAIRMAN JUSTICE VK BALI HAD QUASHED THE AUGUST 29, 2008 GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION WHICH AMENDED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SIXTH PAY COMMISSION DUE TO WHICH THE PRE-2006 RETIREES ARE GETTING LOWER PENSION THAN THE POST 2006 RETIREES.

PRESIDENT RATH REQUESTED THE STATE ANOMALY COMMITTEE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS ORDERS OF THE CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL IN RE-FIXING THE PENSION FOR THE PRE 2006 RETIREES.

Meet for Red Cross Day held at Nabarangpur

WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 2012 22:43 

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | NABARANGPUR

A preparatory meeting for World Red Cross Day was held here on Monday under the chairmanship of District Collector Sibabrata Dash.

Two Raths will be pressed into service for launching an awareness campaign. Besides, painting, debate and other competitions, patriotic songs, blood donation, patient facilitation and community mobilisations would be held.

A Red Cross donation box and block red cross cell at Nabarangpur and Umarkote will be inaugurated on May 8.

In 2011-12, maintenance of Pandit Deen Dayal Girls Orphanage, Majhiguda and Asha Kiran had been undertaken at `9,38,992, while 97 patients benefited in medical treatment and 220 patients had been referred to different referral hospitals.

It was decided that the Red Cross Society would strengthen and make voluntary blood donation movement sustainable with collaborative approach among the youth mass and encourage them to donate blood.

ADM Suradev Sahu, PDDRDA James Eka, Deputy Collector Nihar Ranjan Dash, BDOs, Tehsildars and many volunteers were present.

Laxmipur MLA abducted

Koraput:

In an another hostage crisis in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka was abducted by Naxals on Friday night in Koraput district while he was on his to Laxmipur.

Koraput SP confirmed that the BJD MLA was picked up by the Naxals while he was on his way home.

Hikaka was travelling with his driver and personal assistant, who were let off by the Naxals. Security forces have lunched a search operation for the MLA Hikaka. Report said Hikaka was on his way home when around 15 men stopped his car and took him away. This abduction comes 10 days after two Italian tourists were kidnapped in Odisha.

Odisha Governor's chopper crash landed

Odisha Governor M C Bhandare had a providential escape as his helicopter crash landed just a few minutes after it took off for Malkankangiri from the Jeypore airstrip today due to technical snag. The Governor and all the crew members landed safely. Sources said 30 years ago late Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik could not take off from the air strip due to battery problem. Mr Bhandare who had a series of programmes in Malkangiri , Nabarangpur and Koraput districts landed in Jeypore air strip around 12 noon today for refilling. Soon after taking off a few meters the chopper could not fly and made an emergency landing. Later, the officials accompanying the Governor tried to arrange another chopper for his scheduled visit but failed. The Governor had to stay at the airstrip till 2.10 PM and his visit to Malkangiri was cancelled. Later the district administration of Koraput arranged the Governor's tour to Nabarabngpur by road. First governor attended a meeting at Sindhiguda Balashram and Kasturaba Gandhi School, later at Ashakiran interacted with the students later  returned to Koraput by road in the evening

BJD gets majority in N’rangpur ZP polls .

Though the Zila Parishad poll results will be officially declared on February 22, after the third phase of the elections on Wednesday in Papadahandi and Kosagumuda blocks the ruling BJD recorded sweeping victories.

The unofficially-known poll results of 20 ZPs that have already gone to polls showed that the BJD has obtained 15 seats while the Congress has won five and the BJP was yet to open its account. The counting of votes is undertaken just after each phase of the polls though the results are to be officially declared after completion of all the five phases.

There are 26 Zila Parishad zones in the district. On Friday, the last phase of the elections covering the remaining six ZP zones in the district will be held.

The BJD has bagged 15 ZP zones in the district so far. In the last 2007 polls, the BJD had secured 11 zones and the Congress 15.

Diarrhoea breaks out at village in Nabarangpur

Thursday, 16 February 2012 23:12  PNS | NABARANGPUR

 

Diarrhoea has affected Disariguda village under Naktiguda gram panchayat of Papadahandi block in Nabarangpur district with at least eight children being diagnosed with diarrhoea symptoms.

After a medical team reached the village, two affected children were shifted to the Papadahandi hospital.

The locals alleged that there are no basic sanitary amenities in the village. Nabarangpur Collector Sibabrata Dash directed the RWSS Executive Engineer to install a tube-well at the village.

The villagers further alleged that Pharmacist of the mobile health unit of Maidalpur, Priyabrata Puhana, demanded money during the treatment of the afflicted people of the village. The Collector directed the CDMO to suspend the Pharmacist.

Diarrhoea breaks out at village in Nabarangpur

Thursday, 16 February 2012 23:12  PNS | NABARANGPUR

Diarrhoea has affected Disariguda village under Naktiguda gram panchayat of Papadahandi block in Nabarangpur district with at least eight children being diagnosed with diarrhoea symptoms.

After a medical team reached the village, two affected children were shifted to the Papadahandi hospital.

The locals alleged that there are no basic sanitary amenities in the village. Nabarangpur Collector Sibabrata Dash directed the RWSS Executive Engineer to install a tube-well at the village.

The villagers further alleged that Pharmacist of the mobile health unit of Maidalpur, Priyabrata Puhana, demanded money during the treatment of the afflicted people of the village. The Collector directed the CDMO to suspend the Pharmacist.

CM visited Nabarandpur district addressed several meetings.

Nabarangpur:

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Pattanik, on Tuesday morning  visited to Nishnahandi under Nabarangpur assembly constituency, later   Dabugam, Raighar and Jharigam  Assembly constituency of Nabarangpur district to campaign for the aspirant candidates for the Zilla Parisad member from party ticket, in the forthcoming three-tier panchayat poll on February. 
Addressing in the meeting at Nishanahandi  the CM said Congress has not done anything for the people of the state, while its leaders are busy for attaining self gains and are doing family politics.He further highlighted the programmes undertaken by his government for the upliftment of the poor, women and students. The government, has chalked out many development and poverty alleviation programmes in rural areas from its own resources, he said.
The MLA, Nabarangpur  Manohar Randhari, FDC Chairaman, Muna Khan, BYJD president Badri Narayan Singh,  along with the party candidates of zila parisad were present in the dais and urged the voters to cast their votes to BJD candidates.

Later, the CM visited to Dabugam, Raighar  to attend election meeting at As many as 6000 people are congregated in the meeting places. Overhauled by the good response at Nisnahandi,  Dabugam , Raighar and Jharigam  Naveen Pattaniak claims that his party candidates of Zilla Parisad zones would do better than last panchayat election in the district.
IT Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, was at Jharigam while Umerkote MLA, Subash Gond, at Raighar, and  BJD district president Jayadev Parida, along with the party candidates of zila paridad   were also present in the meetings.

While Addressing the meeting at Jharigam IT Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, said under the leadership of Naveen Pataink, developmental work has been carried out all over the state.Several developmental works have also been carried out in past years. So he urged the locals to support his party candidates by giving votes in the coming 

Nabarangpur district Health care in a shambles.

77 Out of 117 doctors posts vacant.

DHH is running with 4 doctors, without any specialists

BY: BASANT RATH, 

An acute shortage of doctors is plaguing the healthcare system at government-run hospitals in Nabarangpur district. Every day, thousands of poor patients in the district are left at the mercy of private practitioners and clinics and fall prey to their exploitation. Even people are dying because accessing any form of health care in these parts is difficult. And even if there is a health centre in the area, it is often of little use.

Resentment is brewing among the general public towards the state government because of its apathy towards the state of healthcare here has resulted in a number of demonstrations and protests by social organisations, but to no avail.

According to hospital authorities, a total of 77 posts of doctors are lying vacant at various primary health centres (PHCs) or community health centre (CHCs) across the district, including the district headquarters hospital at Nabarangpur.

While 25 out of a total of 50 PHCs in the district are being run by pharmacists and 4th class employees even the  11 CHCs in 10 block headquarters are functioning without a medical-in-charge, and any specialists. Key posts Medicine, peadiatrics, surgery, O&G, Asst surgen are lying vacant in all the CHCs.

 More than three lakh people are depend upon the District Headquarters Hospital, key posts in the CDMO post is lying vacant since October 1 and the two ADMO post (senior class-1) since long. The posts of medicine, paediatrics, surgery, O&G, anesthesia, orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, radiology, skin&VD, TB&CD, anesthesia,  gynaecology specialist are also lying vacant. Things have come to such a pass that the people have lost faith in this referral hospital to which thousands of patients from peripheral health centres come for succour. The DHH has modern technique equipments like radiology, ultrasound and many more but are no use and the machines are gathering dust.

Ironically, it's not like there is no health infrastructure in place in the tribal-dominated and Maoist-violence affected Nabarangpur district. On paper at least, it has 50 PHCs and eleven community health centres (CHCs) covering 10 blocks. But what use is a mere building when there is no one in it to attend to the multitudes of the sick?

To add to the woes of patients, some doctors seldom come to hospital on time in the morning hours. Patients coming from interior pockets are falling prey to touts who are diverting them to private nursing homes or clinics reportedly run of hospital doctors. The elected representatives have virtually turned a blind eye to the plight of patients.

The only leprosy unit of the district, located in Nabarangpur, has been closed because there is no doctor to run it. The tuberculosis and malaria eradication schemes sponsored by the government have been severely affected due to the lack of district malaria and TB officers. Besides, the district HQ hospital, on which patients from parts of Kalahandi districts are also dependent, is having great trouble operating with the posts of the additional CDMO, ADMO (family welfare), ADMO (medical), DMO,DLO, all specialists posts including  five assistant surgeons, a radiologist and a paediatrician lying vacant. The DHH is running with two paediactric, and two asst surgeon. Said ADMO, Dr.Panda.

"I failed to fill up these vacancies despite repeated official reminders to the director of health and family welfare of the state govt; so I sought help from the local minister, Ramesh Chandra Majhi, for his intervention, but that is yet to yield any result," said Sibabrata Dash, the Collector of Nabarangpur.

"Large-scale vacancies in doctors' positions have seriously affected healthcare at the local level. Shortage of radiologists and other experts for maintaining and operating various testing machines is hampering work at hospitals and clinics, compelling the poor patients to opt for private clinics where they have to pay a lot of money. The entire healthcare system is in a complete shambles in the district," said Julu Mohanty, a Nabarangpur-based social activist.

Dr J.K. Behera, former Chief District Medical Officer of Nabarangpur district hospital, explains the reasons that have brought the entire system to its knees, "This is one of the most backward and underdeveloped tribal districts with a lack of proper connectivity and educational facilities. So most of the doctors who are posted here are not willing to stay on. Moreover, over last few years there has been an increase in Maoist activities in the district and the situation is only getting worse. Fearing for their life in places like Kundei, Raighr, Jharigram and Umerkot, doctors are not ready to work."

            Though Navin Patnaik government had claimed that by 2012, the healthcare service will reach the doorstep of people in Odisha need to be backed by some serious efforts.

Declare N’rangpur dist drought-hit: Farmers’ body

The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar.     Dated: 12.December. 2011

Farmers of Nabarangpur district under the banner of Zilla Jai Kishan Krushak Mahasangh took out a march on Friday, demanding that Government should declare the district as drought-hit.

The farmers submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Additional District Magistrate, stating that due to the scanty rainfall during the kharif season, over 60 per cent of standing crops were damaged.

They urged the Government to provide compensation with free seeds and fertilizer at more subsidised prices and waive farm loans while ordering sanction of fresh interest-free loan for rabi crop to the cultivators.

The memorandum also included demands for relaxation of crop quality of FAQ, raising of minimum support price of paddy to Rs 1,500 per quintal, restoration of irrigation facilities in the district, supply of Indravati water to Tentulikhunti, Nandahandi and Nabarangpur, making defunct bore-wells and LI points in the district functional, supply of fertilizers such as DAP, urea and MOP at gram panchayat level in time, issue of identity card to farmers in time, installation of Krushak Bazar for selling of vegetables by the farmers and establishment of a sugar factory at Churchanda.

The farmers said that though Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro reviewed the situation and promised to take steps to declare the district drought-hit, it is yet to be done even after the elapse of two months.

Mahasangh general secretary Durga Prasad Rath said farmers who earn their livelihood through cultivation lost everything in the drought and have no alternative to maintain their families. They are now leading a miserable life while many have moved to outside States in search of jobs.

Umerkote Bypolls In the Aftermath: An Overview

Creates record in bribing voters with cash and gifts

tHE PIONEER,  BhuBANESWAR  :11 DECEMBER 2011 BASANT RATH | NABARANGPUR 

The role of big money factors in every calculation and discussion about the likely outcome of elections. With the Umarkote by-election results out, the BJP and the Congress have taken to the usual chores of blaming the ruling BJD for 'abuse' of official machinery and rampant use of money and muscle power. Both parties are certainly not feeling comfortable at the prospects of the panchayat polls, just months away.

Despite all the tall claims made about issues dominating the Umarkote Assembly segment electoral scene, the fact remains that Vitamin M (Money and Muscle power) played a crucial role in electioneering and was the key factor behind the electoral outcome.

But the art of buying votes with cash and gifts was fine-tuned in the Umarkote by-election. Not only was the distribution of cash widespread but ingenious were the ways of reaching it to the voters. One of the local voters said wondering that the unbelievable scale of money distribution by the parties in the last three days before the voting day is now the theme of local folklores.

In many cases, the recipients were asked by party hagglers to swear by their children or god and promise that they would vote for their party. According to a leader of the ruling party, not many people are so heartless to swear by their children or god and vote otherwise. The tribal population comes first in such electoral math. "Tribals are more reliable. They never lie and remain loyal. If they take money, they will vote for you," the leader said.

Most of the voters pray might each year such type of elections comes so that their financial condition could improve, said a voter of Anchala village under Raighar block.

The remote and inaccessible area voters were surprised after receiving cash and kind from the parties as never before. The Yubak Sanghs, clubs, SHGs and the rural and urban voters who had more than five votes got TV sets, dish TVs, generators, emergency lights, mobile phone hand sets, cooking utensils, mike sets, carpets and musical instruments, including cash.

The outsized voter turnout in the Maoist-infested Raighar areas bordering Chhattisgarh raised eyebrows as no one ever believed it to happen.

Interestingly, not admitting of the cracks in the party, the BJP leaders blamed their failure on the EVMs and demanded probe into the alleged manipulation.

The ruling BJD won, the Congress finished a poor third and the BJP made significant gains percentage-wise despite coming out number two.

Local Congress MP Pradeep Majhi alleged the BJD Government had misused official machinery to influence voters in Umerkote and Raighar. "Money and liquor had a free flow and even senior district administration officials, including police officers, were acting like BJD agents. Sarpanches, ASHAs, SHGs, teachers, SSAs and Anganwadi workers were pressurised and threatened to secure votes for the ruling party." Majhi said his party had lodged various complaints on violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the BJD with the Election Commission "but no action was initiated".

Though during the Umarkote by-poll panic gripped the area after Maoists pasted posters in several places asking people not to exercise their franchise in the election and also warning the ruling party leaders against entry into the Raighar area to canvas for their candidate, holding out threat of dire consequences, BJD candidate Subash Gond faced the challenge with the Election Commission providing adequate security to all three candidates to ward off any eventuality.

BJP candidate Dharmu Gond blamed the ruling party and said that owing to the Maoist threat his party leaders avoided going out to the interior pockets of Raighar block. The host of MLAs and MPs drafted by the BJD to campaign for their party candidate, Subas Gand, tried their best to avoid night halts at Raighar, one of the areas in the district worst-affected by the Maoist menace. By down, they returned to Umerkote, about 30 km from Raighar.

Till November 21 the BJD leaders were not able to campaign effectively in seven gram panchayats in the Raighar block. Even they were reluctant to visit the areas bordering Chhattisgarh. But none could decipher how could they so suddenly shed all fears and canvassed in those 'prohibited' areas in full swing after November 22.

Now while analysing the sequences, people wonder if the pre-nomination posters were actually pasted by the Maoists or they were the handiwork of some political party, employed as an electoral strategy to frighten and keep the rivals away.

Though there was rampant violation of the Code of Conduct by the Ministers and the MLAs, the administration allegedly preferred to turn a blind eye. More than 300 four-wheelers were pressed into service during the election campaign by party leaders. But will the Election Commission inquire into the violations?

Sargiphool 2011 Organised at Nabarangpur.

Nabarangpur:

To give exposure and to encouragement to talented students reading in Sevashram, Ashram, Residential Ashram, and Kanyashram, district level Sargiphool-2011, was organized by ST & SC development department at Shastri Bhawan Nabarangpur here on Wednesday.

Chief Guest Collector Sibabrata Dash, inaugurated the function and said that the festival will provide platform for the ST and SC students reading in the schools to showcase their skills, talents and help in up gradating their life skill activities though interaction with other students and learning through workshops.

Collector  Sibabrata Dash, dancing with tribal students

 Mr.Dash further said that Discipline is the key to success and for students it holds a great value. Learning is the most important aspect of child development which needs an open mind and generous heart, Teacher’s play a key role in the building of personality, character, and self-confidence among the students.  

            District welfare officer, Mukund Nihal, described about the programmes, there will be a work shop, competitions in debate, creative writing in Odia, mathematics quiz, cultural shows comprising solo song in Odia, group dance, drama, music.

              Among others, PA ITDA, Paul Eaaka, Deputy collector, Nihar Ranjan Dash, spoke on the occasion. Hundreds of students from the district participated in the programme. During the cultural programmes Collector, Mr.Dash danced with the tribal students. 

BJD retains Umerkote seat by Larger Margin

Nabarangpur, Monday, 5th Dec.2011.
By: Basant Rath, Editor-In-Chief.
In the much-hyped by-election in the Umarkote Assembly constituency in the Maoist-affected Nabarangpur district held on November 30, the State's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Subhas Gond won the seat by an impressive margin of votes after the counting of votes on Sunday.

The BJD retained the seat, which was held by the party's Jagabandhu Majhi before he was killed by yet unknown assailants on September 24, necessitating the bypoll. 

The BJD's win assumes significance as the bypoll was held ahead of the panchayat elections slated for February next year.

Subhas Gond defeated his nearest BJP rival Dharmu Gond by 21,061 votes, officials said. While he polled 54,713 votes, Dharmu Gond bagged 33,652 votes. Jagabandhu Majhi had won by a margin of about 14,000 votes over Dharmu Gond in 2009.

Finishing a close third, Congress nominee Jitendra Gond secured 32,877 votes. "We tried to put our best efforts and improved upon our margin," said local Congress MP Pradeep Majhi, adding, "The Government machinery won the bypoll and this result will have no impact on the ensuing three-tier pachayat polls."

The local BJP leaders expressed surprise over the bypoll verdict. BJP candidate Dharmu Gond said that there was every likelihood of the EVMs being tampered. Besides, the ruling party engaged all Government employees, para teachers, Kendu leaf workers, SHGs, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers in the election, he added.

On the other hand, the bypoll result brought joy and celebrations among BJD leaders and workers at many places in Nabarangpur town and Umarkote while opposition even as Congress and BJP leaders viewed it as an "outcome of money and muscle power."

Four CRPF personnel arrested for allegedly assaulting trader

Four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including an Assistant Commandant, were arrested on Friday by the police headed by Nabarangpur district SP Niti Kumar and Umarkote SDPO Ashok Sahu at Kundei on the charge of dacoity. The four were identified as assistant commandant Ramdas Meena, , Havildar Jagu Singh and two constables Basir Mohammad and Ajeet Das, all from 8^th Battalion of CRPF.

According to sources, a team of CRPF personnel were deployed near the Khiloli check-post under Raighar block bordering the State of Chhattisgarh to prevent any infiltration of Maoists on the eve of the Umarkote Assembly bypoll.

As per an FIR lodged by one Sohan Golcha, a goldsmith of Nagri town in Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday that at about 12.30 pm while he was travelling to the weekly market of Hatabharandi under Raighar block by his car for business purposes the four jawans detained his vehicle near the Khiloli checkpost and asked him to show the papers of the vehicle. Finding the briefcase in the car which was containing gold amounting to Rs 30 lakh, the jawans forced him to come to their camp for further interrogation.

Thereafter, the jawans allegedly took away the briefcase and illegally detained him along with his driver and servant demanding cash of Rs 6 lakh. Finding no way out, the goldsmith telephoned one of his family members through the mobile phone of one of the jawans to bring the money. After the payment was made, the jawans handed over the briefcase and freed them with a threat not to inform about the incident to anybody. Finding the briefcase empty on the way, he lodged the FIR, before Kundi police satiation Golcha stated.

Police have recovered Rs 6.62 lakh cash and 22.63 gram of gold ornaments from the four which they had allegedly looted on Monday from the trader, identified as Sohel Gulcha of Chhattishgarh. The police arrested the alleged four culprits and forwarded to Umerkote Court charged under section 341/342/395/385 and 34 of IPC. Where Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Santunu Kumar Das rejected their bail petition and remanded them to judicial custody.

Umerkote By-poll : Now all await results On Sunday.

speculations among political circles.

Nabarangpur By:Basant Rath, Journalist

The fate of the three candidates in the keenly-fought Assembly by-election in the Umarkote (ST) constituency on Wednesday will be known on Sunday after counting of ballots. The by-poll witnessed a voter turnout of 73.40 per cent. As many as 1,21,200 votes of which 63,647 male and 57,553 female exercised their franchises

The unusually heavy polling in the Maoist infested areas bordering Chhattisgarh  has led to speculations among political circles.

IT Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, however, asserted that the ruling BJD would retain the seat though by a reduced margin. He said the heavy polling in the areas adjacent to Chhattisgarh in Raighar block would go in favour of the BJD.On the other hand BJP and Congress camp hopeful of a victory.

Nabarangpur district SP Niti Sekhar said, "We have made all arrangements for counting of votes and the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being stored in the women's college under tight security with

deployment of one company of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and one platoon of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP), besides officers patrolling at regular intervals."

In the 2009 Assembly polls, the turnout was 70.17 per cent, and BJD candidate Jagabandhu Majhi was elected by defeating BJP candidate Dharmu Gond by over 14,000 votes while Congress candidate Parama Pujari was relegated to the third position.

            The high-voltage campaign had given rise to the impression that it was a fight between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. As many as 13 ministers, more than 30 MLAs,MPs and senior leaders campaigned from the BJD side for the party for Subash Gond.

            The BJP was not far behind Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh including  several ministers, MLAs and senior leaders from Chhatisgarh and Odisha campaigned for party candidate Dharmu Gond. On the other hand the Congress is not worried over the heavy polling witnessed in the bypoll. Support for the congress candidate Jatindra Gond was uniform in all pockets of the constituency, Nabarangpur MP, Pradeep Majhi said.

Umerkote assembly bypoll concludes peacefully.

Nabarangpur:

Defying the poll boycott call given by Maoists, around 70.99  per cent voters exercised their franchise in the Umerkote assembly segment in Nabarangpur district, where the by-poll was held on Wednesday.

“The election was by and large peaceful. No untoward incident was reported anywhere in the constituency while the voters were seen to make long-queues to cast their vote,” said a senior government officer. The counting of vote will take place on December 4.

 “The polling was very peaceful and there was no untoward incident reported during polling,” said deputy inspector general of police (Sunabeda) Soumendra Priyadarshi.

The by-election was necessary in the constituency, as sitting BJD MLA Jagabandhu Majhi was gunned down by unidentified miscreants on September 24 at Gona village under Raighar police station.

As many as 165,133  voters of the constituency, consisting of 24 GPs in Raighar block, eight GPs in Umerkote block and Umerkote NAC were to elect the new MLA of the constituency.

Three candidates were in the fray for this constituency- Dharmu Gond (BJP), Jatindranath Gond (Congress) and Subash Gond (BJD).

Security was tightened with deployment of Central security forces in Maoist-hit assembly constituency in the wake of the call given by the ultras to boycott the election.

At least three companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), six units of Special Operation Group (SOG), 11 platoons of Orissa State Armed Police (OSAP) were deployed for poll duty besides hundreds of police officers, constables and home guards.

The Orissa-Chhattisgarh border was sealed to prevent the entry of miscreants from the neighbouring state.

Official sources said as many as 750 polling personnel were deployed for poll duty. Out of the total 162 booths in the constituency, 67 booths were identified as hyper-sensitive while remaining 70 booths are considered to be sensitive.

Though the poll result would not impact the political parties, they have taken the by-poll as a challenge.Apart from several ministers of the ruling BJD, senior Congress and BJP leaders including BJP Chief Minister Raman Singh campaigned for their respective candidates.