Dhenkanal: After mangoes, the demand for Dhenkanal’s green papaya is growing internationally.

The fruit’s unique taste and health benefits have sparked interest among consumers abroad. A total of one tonne of green papaya, cultivated by 14 women farmers from the Saptasajya Agro Producer Company under the Sadar block of Dhenkanal district, was exported to London last week.

Similarly, green papaya harvested from the Ghatipiri area of the Odapada block was shipped to Dublin in Ireland, through the Madan Mohan Cooperative Society.

This marks the first time that green papaya from Dhenkanal has been exported outside India. Most of these women farmers belong to tribal communities.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export process, aiming to provide significant economic benefits to local farmers. Previously, mangoes grown in Dhenkanal had been exported to Dubai. With the rising demand for fruits like green papaya and mangoes grown in the region, there is a crucial need for cold storage facilities.

Meanwhile, farmers have urged authorities to operationalise the abandoned mango hub and the fruit and vegetable preservation centre located along the national highway in Gobindpur under Sadar block.

Dhenkanal Deputy Director of Horticulture Gitashree Padhi stated that green papaya from the district has been exported to London and Ireland for the first time through Saptasajya Agro Producer Company and the Madan Mohan Cooperative Society, with support from APEDA.

She emphasised that such initiatives would encourage farmers and strengthen their economic standing.

PNN

Dhenkanal: An 18-year-old student from a privately-run industrial training institute in Dhenkanal district died after drowning in a pond where authorities allegedly sent a group of students to take a bath owing to shortage of water at the hostel, Sunday.

The incident sparked outrage in the locality, while parents of the deceased student demanded thorough investigation as they suspected foul play.

Officers at the Dhenkanal Sadar police station said the student, Pritiprabhu Pattnaik, was enrolled at Bajiraut Institute of Engineering and Technology in Govindpur.

According to reports, students at the hostel were sent to a pond for bathing due to a water shortage in the hostel. While bathing, Pritiprabhu drowned. Locals rescued him and rushed him to the district headquarters hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Meanwhile, Pritiprabhu’s parents, Alok Pattnaik and Sasmita Pattnaik – residents of Banchua village under Anandpur police station in Keonjhar district – expressed shock and anger at the incident. They claimed they were not informed by the college authorities about their son’s death. The family pointed out that no representative from the college or hostel management was present at the hospital when they arrived.

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Attempts to contact college chairman Tara Prasad Satapathy on his mobile number were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

An officer at the Sadar police station, Purnachandra Rout, said no formal complaint had been lodged by the deceased’s family till 8:30 pm, Sunday.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Police Friday arrested a man for allegedly duping a City-based investor of Rs 11.62 lakh on false promises of attractive returns on investments through online trading.

The accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar Sahoo alias Mantu, 30, a native of Chitalpur in the Dhenkanal district. Earlier, three of his associates – Sidheswar Jena, Ashim Kumar Mishra, and Prafulla Kumar Bej –were arrested February 24 in connection with the case, said Cyber Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Tereskova Mohaptra.

A mobile phone and a laptop, along with proofs of cryptocurrency transactions on Binance, were seized during the arrest, she said.

The IIC said Manoj used to collect the amount from investors and distribute the same among other members of the group. The accused men ran advertisements on Facebook, luring the victims to join their WhatsApp group “D53-AXIS Securities Group”.

Tereskova also said the complainant, too, was lured to join the group by a similar pattern. He was promised a 100 per cent return on his investment, along with assurances that the funds are managed in compliance with SEBI guidelines and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Also Read: NHRC seeks ATR on displacement of 4,000 tribals

Trusting their claims, the victim transferred Rs 11.62 lakh into multiple bank accounts. However, he was removed immediately from the group. On enquiring, the fraudsters denied receiving any such transactions. Realising that he had been duped, the victim lodged an FIR January 27.

Manoj was booked under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of BNS and produced before a local court Friday.

PNN

Dhenkanal: A woman died after her husband thrashed her on her ear lobe following an argument over preparing chicken curry at Dhanianali, Munda Sahi under Gondia police limits in Dhenkanal district Sunday night.

The deceased was identified as Kuni Pingua, 30, wife of Jena Pingua, 40.

Police said the couple got into a heated argument when Kuni refused to prepare chicken curry for dinner. The dispute escalated, as Jena allegedly struck Kuni with a forceful slap on her left ear, causing her to collapse and die on the spot.

Gondia police reached the spot, registered a murder case (75/25) and arrested Pingua. The body was sent to district headquarters hospital in Dhenkanal for post-mortem.

“The accused will be produced in the court Tuesday,” Gondia police station inspector-in-charge (IIC) Shantanu Pradhan said.

The couple has three children- two sons, and a daughter.

PNN

Dhenkanal: A supervisor was killed while working at the hot strip mill (HSM) of an industrial plant at Meramandali in Dhenkanal district in the wee hours of Monday.

The victim was identified as Abdul Rauf, 42, a supervisor employed with Tata Steel Technical Services Ltd., a subsidiary of Tata Steel and a resident of Narayanpur area in Jamtara district of Jharkhand.

He was working at the hot strip mill when the accident occurred, resulting in a severe head injury. Company officials rushed him to the plant’s medical centre and later to the district headquarters hospital in Dhenkanal, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Also Read: Sambalpur Regional Archives in disarray

Following the incident, tensions ran high on the plant premises. On being informed, Hindol SDPO launched an investigation.

PNN

Dhenkanal: In a shocking incident, a man, his daughter and grandson died by hanging inside their house at Chaulia Khamar village under the Sadar police limits in this district, police said Saturday.

The deceased were identified as Shankarsan Das, 70, a retired Railway employee, his daughter Subarna Das, 40, and grandson Santosh Kumar Das, 18.

The matter came to the fore after villagers found a stench emanating from a room. On being alerted, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Surya Mani Pradhan, and other police personnel conducted a probe. A forensic team was pressed into service.

The bodies were brought and sent for post-mortem. Preliminary inquiry suggested that they might have died by suicide over suspected depression Wednesday. Sources said that Shankarshan was staying in the village with his wife, Pushpanjali, 67, after his retirement nearly a decade ago.

His daughter, Subarna, had married in the Kankadahad block but had returned to her parental home due to marital disputes.

Her son, Santosh, was a Class XII student. Shankarsan’s only son, Prasanna, had been residing in Dhenkanal town for the past 20 years. Locals said that mental distress might have forced the family to stay in the village.

Pushpanjali found her husband, daughter, and grandson hanging in two separate rooms of the house and informed villagers. The cause of death remains unclear, the ASP said.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to the Odisha government, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and others seeking a reply in connection with allegations of environmental pollution against a private company engaged in manufacturing of various stainless steel products.

The NGT issued the order while hearing a petition filed by Harihar Samal of Dhenkanal district and Rajib Gopal Swain of Angul district.

The authorities have been asked to submit their replies within four weeks from the receipt of the order.

The tribunal also constituted a fact-finding Committee including senior scientists from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB).

The District Collector of Dhenkanal or his representative not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate will also be part of the committee.

The petitioners alleged that the company’s manufacturing unit located in Dhenkanal is allegedly creating air pollution and discharging untreated water to the Kisindah Nallah in violation of the Consent to Operate Conditions and the guidelines of CPCB.

Notably, the steel plant reportedly received the Consent to Operate certificate from the State Pollution Control Board March 31, 2023. It is alleged that the steel plant is not collecting and treating the wastewater properly and discharging the wastewater directly to the Kisindah Nallah. The plant is allegedly dumping its solid wastes outside the unit premises and alongside the road which is being used by the villagers of Kurunti.

“The unit has not activated the online monitoring of Stack Emission and Waste Water Discharge to the centralised server of OSPCB and CPCB. Further, the unit has not obtained authorisation under Hazardous Waste Management and Handling Rules,” reads the petition.

The petitioner’s advocate Sankar Pani Monday asserted that the company also illegally acquired forest land violating instructions of the VAN (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 2023.

He also said the unit has set up only two Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS) instead of the mandated four. It is also alleged that neither of the AAQMS installed by the company is operational. The company is also accused of extracting water illegally from Kisindha Nullah without obtaining necessary permissions from concerned authorities.

IANS

Bhubaneswar/Dhenkanal: The much-awaited mega drinking water project, with a capacity of 35 lakh litres per day, has been launched at Joranda Mahima Gadi, a major cultural site in Dhenkanal district, under the Central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a video message on the occasion of the project’s launch Monday, expressed joy over the commencement of the drinking water supply project. He stated that this initiative has fulfilled the long-standing demand of the Mahima society.

Extending his greetings to the venerable saints and devotees of Joranda Gadi in Dhenkanal district, the holy pilgrimage site of Mahima Dharma, Pradhan remarked that Joranda Gadi was not just the centre of Mahima Dharma but was once renowned as a hub of education and knowledge in Odisha.

The great preacher of Mahima Dharma, Santhakavi Bhima Bhoi, initiated a remarkable movement of education and spirituality in this sacred land.

For this mega drinking water project, public sector enterprise ONGC has provided Rs10.34 crore under its CSR initiative.

The Union Minister stated that about 10 lakh litres of water can be stored daily, ensuring a 24-hour supply of clean drinking water to 10 monasteries, public places, and pilgrimage grounds, including both small and large monasteries.

This system will benefit over 12,000 people from 13 villages, of whom 20 per cent belong to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

He further noted that every year, around 2 lakh tourists and devotees from Odisha and neighbouring states visit Maghamela during this time. This mega water project will significantly help in addressing the need for clean drinking water in the local area.

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Congratulating the devotees of Mahima Samaj on the launch of this developmental project, Pradhan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Dhenkanal district administration, and ONGC for their financial support.

The public and devotees had earlier approached the Union Minister regarding the acute shortage of drinking water at Mahima Gadi in Joranda.

Following this, the Union Minister directed ONGC to undertake a drinking water supply project at Joranda Mutt.

PNN & Agencies

Parjang: Police Saturday detained a youth for the gruesome murder of a co-villager on New Year’s Day at Basoi village under Parjang police limits in Dhenkanal district.

The accused was identified as Saroj Biswal, 28, alias Maku in the village.

Saroj allegedly killed Rakesh Sethi, 27, by hacking him to death with a machete. Later, he chopped the body into 50 pieces and scattered the dismembered body parts on the village road.

According to police, Saroj had been hiding behind a bush near the village pond since the day of the murder. He was nabbed late Friday night 48 hours after committing the crime. Police caught him over a tip-off when he had come to his house for food.

Following his detention, police recreated the crime scene in Basoi village Saturday. Saroj disclosed to police how he murdered the victim and disposed off the murder weapon — a machete and a lathi — in the pond near the village.

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Saroj admitted that he had been mentally disturbed following the deaths of his two brothers over the past three years. In 2021, his younger brother Chiroj Biswal, 25, was murdered in Balasore, and in 2023, another brother, Manoj Biswal, was killed in a cashew forest in the village. The accused claimed that the deceased, Rakesh Sethi, was involved in these murders, and he killed Rajesh to avenge his brothers’ deaths.

Dhenkanal Additional SP Prabhat Biswal, Kamakhyanagar SDPO Gyanaranjan Mishra, and Parjang IIC Priyabrata Das were present during the crime scene recreation. They were joined by Sarang OIC Prashant Kumar Sahu, Dadaraghati OIC Shakti Prasad Sahu, and the Parjang ASI Ramesh Chandra Swain, along with scientific team members and fire service personnel.

The investigation of the case is now under the supervision of SDPO Gyanaranjan Mishra. A detailed account of the murder will be provided by the Parjang PS officer-in-charge Sunday, police authorities said.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: A total of 2,103 elephants were counted in Odisha forests during the three-day winter census exercise from November 14 to 16, officials said.

According to the census report released by the forest department Thursday, elephants were spotted in 38 of the 48 forest divisions.

The 2103 elephants include 334 adult tuskers, 12 adult makhnas, 678 adult females, 186 sub-adult tuskers, 4 sub-adult makhnas, 305 sub-adult females, 181 juveniles and 403 calves, the report said.

The last elephant census was carried out in May, wherein 2,098 elephants were counted.

During the winter census, the highest number of wild elephants were found in Dhenkanal (291), Keonjhar (160), Athgarh (124), Deogarh (123) and Angul (117).

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A significant increase in the elephant population was also observed in divisions such as Rourkela, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Athamallik, Ghumsur North, Kalahandi North, Kalahandi South, Bolangir, and Rairakhol, while a decrease in numbers was noted in regions like Similipal North Wildlife Sanctuary, Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, Bamra Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rayagada.

The census report also pointed out a noticeable increase in the number of elephants in the Rourkela and Bhawanipatna circles during the winter months compared to the summer census. The forest department suggested that this change may be due to seasonal inter-division and inter-state movement of elephants during the winter months.

The winter census also observed large-scale inter-state movement of elephants from Jharkhand and West Bengal to Odisha, with some elephants also moving from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

According to the report, 48 elephant deaths were recorded between the summer and winter census periods.

PTI

Dhenkanal: A sub-collector in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district was arrested Tuesday after being found in possession of disproportionate assets, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Narayan Chandra Nayak, sub-collector, Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district.

Among the assets found were three multi-storeyed buildings and 14 plots in Bhubaneswar, deposits over Rs 34.57 lakh, Rs 1.48 lakh in cash, and gold weighting 366 grams, they said.

The sub-collector could not explain satisfactorily the sources of funds for acquiring the properties, they added.

Thereafter, the Vigilance Department registered a case and arrested him, officials said.

PTI

Parjang (Dhenkanal): Just a month after the opening of the new 900-metre Brahmani river bridge, part of the National Highway-53 connecting Parjang in Dhenkanal district and Talcher in Angul district, significant structural issues are causing alarm among the locals.

With large potholes appearing on this newly-constructed bridge, a vital link for thousands of heavy vehicles travelling daily between Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Angul districts, commuters are panicked over their safety given the poor construction of the structure.

Despite substantial funding for the expansion of NH-53, the project was delayed. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had only recently approved vehicle movement on the bridge, which was completed well beyond the deadline. However, owing to ongoing repairs on the old bridge, the NHAI has completely stopped plying of vehicles, making the new bridge the sole route for commuters. Earlier, complaints had emerged about visible iron bars under the bridge, hinting at poor construction quality.

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Senior NHAI officials inspected the site, but a depression was discovered Saturday on the bridge’s surface. Additionally, men working under the bridge narrowly escaped injury when a portion of concrete fell prompting them to flee in fear. To address the depression, the consultancy agency installed concrete pillars to support the bridge on the affected stretch. Local sources allege that insufficient oversight by the NHAI led to substandard work despite considerable government funds being allocated to the contractor. There are increasing demands from the public for departmental authorities to investigate and ensure the structural stability of the bridge.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: Divisional forest officers (DFOs) across Odisha Monday began investigating the unnatural death of nearly 50 wild elephants in the past seven months, an official said.

The probe started two days after Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia ordered a detailed inquiry into the deaths, calling the situation “very alarming”.

“DFOs of 38 divisions across the state have begun investigations into the deaths,” a senior forest department official said.

At least 56 elephant deaths were reported in the state between April and mid-October this year, of which 10 were natural. Others were due to electrocution, road and train accidents, and unknown reasons, the official said.

According to the elephant census this year, the state has 2,098 pachyderms across 38 forest divisions.

The maximum number of jumbo deaths was reported from Mayurbhanj and Dhenkanal, Angul, Athagarh and Keonjhar forest divisions.

“We have started working on the minister’s order,” said Angul DFO Nitish Kumar.

Besides ordering a probe, the minister Saturday said that the state government has been taking various steps to prevent the unnatural death of elephants.

“However, there is a need for more care and sincerity on the part of forest officials to ensure a safe environment with statutory protective measures for the safety of the elephants. Priority must be given on the matter and errant officers must not be let off scot-free,” Singkhuntia was quoted as saying in the statement.

The wildlife wing of the forest department recently reassigned protection squads from forest division levels to circle levels for more effective wildlife protection.

Besides, the Odisha government has set up 31 special courts across 30 districts of the state to deal with wildlife-related crime cases.

PTI

Dhenkanal: An elephant was killed after being hit by a goods train in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district Saturday, police said.

The accident took place when a herd of around 40 jumbos was crossing railway tracks in Chinta Pokhari area, around three kilometres away, from the Meramundali railway station, a senior officer said.

The animal was hit by a goods train around 2am, a forest official said.

Train services were disrupted till the elephant carcass was removed from the tracks, he said.

The forest department maintained that it had issued an alert to the railway authorities on the movement of elephants from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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The train driver, however, ignored the warning, the forest official said.

The cause of the accident is being investigated by the railway authorities, and the elephant carcass was sent for post-mortem examinations, the official said.

The forest department has also started a probe into the accident.

PTI

Dhenkanal: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to investigate the allegations of rampant illegal stone mining in and around Nischinta hill under Gondia tehsil of Dhenkanal and submit a report by the second week of December this year.

The panel – comprising representatives of MoEF&CC Regional Officer (Bhubaneswar), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Director of Mines and Geology, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and District Magistrates of Dhenkanal and Jajpur – will meet within two weeks, undertake site visits, look into the grievances of the applicant, verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action, the eastern zone bench of the environment watchdog ordered while hearing a plea filed by ‘Youth United for Sustainable Environment Trust’.

“The OSPCB will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance. The factual and ATR should be submitted at least one week before the next date of hearing,” the NGT said, posting the next hearing to December 20, 2024. The NGT also served notices on the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary of Forest department, Dhenkanal District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Gondia Tehsildar, Divisional Forest Officer of Dhenkanal, OSPCB Member Secretary, Director of Mines and Geology and Deputy Director of Mines seeking their responses on the allegation at least by the second week of December this year.

The petitioner had informed the tribunal that illegal mining is rampant in and around Nischinta hill despite imposition of Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. “Crooks are extracting more than 20,000 tonne of stone illegally by blasting and using heavy machines. Illegal quarries and four stone crushers are operating in Raigada village under Gondia tehsil in brazen violation of norms,” the petitioner alleged. The petitioner urged the NGT to direct the authorities to identify and prosecute the unscrupulous elements operating the stone quarries and stone crushers.

“The authorities should assess the extent of minerals, including black stone, excavated illegally and its market value, cost of restitution and environmental compensation and subsequently recover it from the persons involved,” the petitioner said. The petitioner also urged the tribunal to direct the District Magistrate to initiate criminal proceedings under Section 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 against the mining mafias. These apart, constitution of a court monitored special task force for stringent enforcement of mining and environment laws against the mafias was among the petitioner’s prayers.

PNN

Dhenkanal: At least one person was killed and two others were injured after the portico of a five-storey under-construction building collapsed in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district Wednesday, police said.

The incident took place in Mahisapat area beside National Highway 55 when workers were constructing the roof of the portico when the structure collapsed, a police officer said.

“One person died and two others were seriously injured and have been admitted to the district hospital,” a police officer said.

It is suspected that two or three workers might be trapped under the debris and a rescue operation is underway, he said.

Sub-collector Bibudha Garanaik said a detailed inquiry will be conducted and strong action will be taken against those found guilty.

Fire service personnel have been asked to put up high-mast lights to continue the rescue operation till the debris was cleared, he said.

Fire officer Prasant Dhaal said two fire teams have been deployed and more teams have been sought from nearby fire stations.

PTI 

Dhenkanal: A mother elephant and her calf got stuck after falling in the main canal of Sapua under the Rasol section of Hindol forest range in Dhenkanal district, Friday night.

After a strenuous effort of five hours, the Forest department personnel rescued both by filling the canal with soil using a excavator.

The incident occurred late at night when an elephant herd was passing through the area. The mother elephant and the calf accidentally fell into the canal.

The other elephants in the herd remained nearby guarding them till morning.

Upon receiving the news, Forest department personnel arrived at the location and filled the canal with soil with the help of an excavator to rescue the mother and calf.

Both elephants safely returned into the nearby forest afterwards.

PNN 

Bhubaneswar: Two workers were killed and a few others injured as a mechanical structure of a private steel company collapsed and fell on them in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district Monday, a police officer said.

The mishap took place at Rungta Mines Ltd (Dhenkanal Steel Plant) located at Jhadabandha in Dhenkanal district. Soon after the incident, a rescue operation was launched.

“As per the preliminary report, two workers died and a few others were injured in the incident. Police have reached the spot and an inquiry will be conducted into the incident,” Dhenkanal SP Madkar Sandeep Sampat told PTI over the phone.

The deceased workers have not yet been identified. It is suspected that the workers are from other states, police sources said.

PTI

Dhenkanal: Four members of a family were killed when a truck hit a bike near Nihalprasad in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district Monday.

Police said a couple and their two children were going on a motorcycle when a heavy vehicle hit the bike, killing the couple on the spot.

The seriously injured two children were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to injuries.

As tension prevailed in the area after the accident, Police rushed to the spot and seized the heavy vehicle. The driver of the vehicle however managed to escape from the spot.

UNI 

Dhenkanal: Asserting that the BJD government in Odisha is on its way out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said he was hurt over the “destruction” of the state.

Addressing a public meeting here under Dhenkanal Lok Sabha seat, Modi said though the state is rich in mineral resources, its people are distressed.

The PM also said the Odisha Chief Minister’s office and residence are under the grip of a coterie which destroyed the state and shattered the dreams of the youths.

“Who is responsible for the sorry state of affairs in Odisha? It is the BJD government which is under the control of some corrupt people. A handful of corrupt persons have grabbed the chief minister’s office and residence. Small workers of the BJD have now become crorepatis,” the Prime Minister said.

Coming down heavily on the ruling BJD, Modi said the state government has prevented people from availing the benefits of the mineral resources. “In 2014, Modi had prepared a new mineral exploration policy, under which Odisha is getting high royalty,” he said.

Stating that Odisha received Rs 26,000 crore from the district mineral fund (DMF), Modi said the money should have been spent on roads, schools and drinking water, but the BJD has misued it.

He said neither the mineral resources nor the cultural heritage of Odisha is safe in the hands of the BJD government.

“Even, the temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is not safe in the hands of this government,” Modi said, expressing concern over the missing of Lord Jagannath’s Ratna Bhandar (treasury) keys for last six years.

“A coterie roaming around the chief minister is responsible for this,” Modi added.

He said Odisha wants to know why the BJD has suppressed the judicial commission inquiry report on Ratna Bhandar keys. “The role of BJD in the case is a suspect. The BJP government after it comes to power June 10 will make the report public,” Modi said.

Modi said a double-engine government will be formed in the state after the elections.

He said people have imposed faith on the BJD government for the past 25 years. “Entire Odisha is now introspecting what the people have got in these years. Farmers are facing hardships, youths are migrating to other states for livelihood while the situation is worse in tribal hinterland,” he said.

The PM said people in large numbers are migrating to other states despite Odisha being rich in natural resources like mines, forests and water. “Why the people of Odisha are forced to reel under extreme poverty?,” he asked.

Noting that he came from the land of Lord Somnath to offer prayers in the land of Lord Jagannath, the PM said, “After seeing the poverty in Odisha, I feel hurt. Who has destroyed my Odisha? Who has ruined the dreams of the youths? This gives me extreme pain.”

PTI