Hatadihi: A court in Anandapur of Keonjhar district Thursday sentenced a 68-year-old woman to life imprisonment and slapped a penalty of Rs10,000 after convicting her for the murder of her friend.

The convict was identified as Sara Naik of Mathadahi village under Soso police limits in Keonjhar district.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge Prajyoti Rout delivered the verdict after reviewing the witnesses’ testimonies and evidence.

In default, she has to undergo an additional year in prison. The case dates back to June 25, 2022, when Sara bludgeoned her friend, Jashoda Patra, with stones.

Patra’s daughter, Shantilata, found her in critical condition near Podasingidi village and rushed her to Anandapur Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. Following a complaint filed by Shantilata, officials at Soso police station registered a case (110/2022) and arrested Naik the next day.

Out of 20 witnesses presented in court, 15 testified against the accused, leading to her conviction. Defence lawyer Subash Bishwal stated that the court handed down the life sentence based on the evidence presented.

PNN

Anandapur: A man and his niece were injured after being hit by a pickup van near Biridiha chhak under Anandapur police station area in Keonjhar district, a source said Saturday.

According to the source, Ravindra Rana (56) from Biridiha Ranasahi village had gone to a nearby market with his niece on a two-wheeler Saturday morning.

The incident took place when a speeding pick-up van carrying cattle from Nadapat hit the two-wheeler near Biridiha chhak.

Read Also: Two killed after car falls into pond in Konark

After the pick-up van rammed into the two-wheeler, Rana and his niece fell on the ground and sustained critical injuries.

Subsequently, locals with the help of an ambulance rushed the duo to a hospital in Anandapur for treatment.

The source informed that the driver of the pickup van was stopped and handed over to the police following the mishap.

PNN

Keonjhar: Anandapur MLA Bhagirathi Sethy was caught on the wrong foot after the local police registered a case against him on charge of hurling abuses and issuing threats at BJP’s Zilla Parishad (ZP) (zone no-3) member Ashima Mishra during a meeting of the Anandapur Panchayat Samiti, last year.

Case-24/2023 under Section-294 and Section-506 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered after the Orissa High Court directed the police to register a case on the complaint filed by Mishra at Anandapur police station.

“The case was registered following a direction of the Orissa High Court and action will be taken after conducting a probe,” Anandapur IIC Debaki Nayak said.

The incident occurred during a review of the developmental works at a meeting of the Anandapur Panchayat Samiti, August 30, 2022. The MLA flew into rage and asked Mishra to get out of the meeting when she questioned the progress of the developmental works being implemented in the area.

Hurling abuses, Sethy told her that she has no right to ask questions, the woman ZP member alleged. He even threatened her with dire consequences, she alleged. She first lodged a complaint at Anandapur police station and later, filed a written complaint with the SP.

However, she moved to the high court after she failed to get justice from the district police.

When contacted, Sethy rejected the charges. He said that the meeting was underway and several male and female members as well as officials were present in the meeting. The authenticity of the allegations will be proved when police undertake a probe, he added.

Post News Network

Anandapur: Campaigning for elections to the three zilla parishad zones 1, 2 and 3 under Anandapur block in Keonjhar district has been on in full swing. Political analysts feel that all the three zones will see a triangular contest between the BJD, BJP and Congress candidates.

Candidates of the three parties along with their supporters and frontline leaders are conducting door-to-door campaigns. The ZP zone-1 comprising Kodapada, Kolimati, Gayalmunda, Dhakotha, Panasdiha, Budhikuda and Manoharpur panchayats is unreserved for women. The BJD has fielded Tini Rana, BJP Tapaswini Mohant and the Congress Minarani Behera.

In some panchayats, the anti-incumbency factor has been problem for the ruling party candidate. BJD rebels are actively working in Panasdiha and Manoharpur panchayats. In Gayalmunda panchayat, some disgruntled leaders of BJD have allegedly struck a secret understanding with opposition candidates.

In the 2017 elections, the BJD won the ZP zone-1. Though this zone will see contest mainly between the BJP and BJD, but the chances of the Congress candidate changing the electoral equation cannot be ruled out. Another worrying factor the BJD is that young voters are leaning towards the BJP.

ZP zone-2 comprising Kantipal, Kathakata, Tartara, Baundagada, Mochinda and Shalabani panchayats is unreserved. The seat is expected to witness tough fight among the three parties. Even though the BJD is favourite to win here, the possibility of some rebels playing spoilsport for the party candidate can’t be ruled out.

A triangular contest is also likely in ZP zone-3 consisting Jalasuan, Panchupalli, Bailo, Belabahali and Haridapal panchayats. Interestingly, all the candidates of the BJD, BJP and Congress are residents of Bailo panchayat.

In the 2017 elections, the controversy over the Belabahali bridge turned the table on the ruling party. An independent candidate backed by local leader Sanatan Mahakud won the ZP seat.

Currently, Sanatan is backing the BJD candidate Urmila Sahu. But BJP’s Asima Mishra is likely to have an edge over her rivals, given some factors, it is said.

Anandapur: Reservation of chairperson’s post for scheduled tribe (ST) women in Anandapur municipality has triggered discontentment among aspirants of various political parties as there would be direct election for the civic body chief posts this year.

Opposing the quota for the post, Ramakant Behera, a resident of ward no-5, has sent his complaint to the state urban development authority.

In the complaint, Behera stated that the state government had published the seat reservation list for all civic bodies January 15, 2022. The chairperson post of Anandapur municipality has been reserved for ST women.

Behera sought to know the basis on which the post has been reserved for ST women. In 2013, the post of the municipality was reserved for STs. While the post was unreserved in 2008, it was reserved for women in 2003.

The civic body comprises 16 wards with a population of over 25,000.

Since the ST population is 5 per cent less than the general population, it has been alleged that people of other categories have been ignored in the electioneering process.

People from various quarters have demanded to leave the post unreserved.

PNN

Anandapur: The state government is losing precious revenue worth several crores, with sand quarries under this tehsil in Keonjhar district remaining closed after expiry of their lease periods.

A status check of the quarries will reveal that the quarries have remained closed as the tehsil officials are yet to get environmental clearance to reopen the quarries.

As a result, the state government is losing revenue worth several crores while illegal sand mining and smuggling have picked up in the area. This has happened due to the alleged apathetic attitude of the tehsil officials.

It has been more than a year that the lease term of the quarries has expired but the authorities are yet to get environmental clearance for these quarries. Miners are illegally excavating sand from these quarries and transporting them to various private and even government construction sites.

Various developmental projects implemented in the area by the government authorities also use the sand mined illegally from these quarries. Illegal sand mining and transportation are mostly carried out during night to avoid getting caught by police and revenue authorities.

Sources said that the Anandapur tehsil authorities seized 117 vehicles illegally transporting sand during a crackdown on illegal sand mining and transportation from April 2021 to January 7, 2022.

The tehsil officials also collected penalties worth Rs 19.30 lakh during the seizure of vehicles. It is said that it has been over a year since the tehsil officials applied for an environmental clearance but it is yet to be sanctioned.

When contacted, Tapan Kumar Nayak, Anandapur tehsildar said that the application for environmental clearance has been submitted in time and the quarries will reopen and start functioning after receiving the clearance.

PNN

Keonjhar: Sculptural remains of Buddhism and Jainism are found scattered at Chakratirtha, Gadachandi and Podasingidi under Anandapur sub-division in Keonjhar.

Most of the ancient remains are lying neglected in forested parts. Culture lovers and locals have demanded preservation and protection of the ancient remains. They have batted for intensive research to explore the cultural history of the area.

As these three places are tourist places, there is a need for museums to keep the ancient sculptures. The administration should come out for preservation of the ancient sculptures to attract more tourists to these places, they observed.

Since the 1999 Super Cyclone, the road to Chakratirtha has been closed following landslide.

Chakratirtha is known as a Shaivite shrine, ensconced in scenic natural setting on the foothills of Baula hill ranges in Kathakata panchayat. The place is enriched with many old temples, mutts and waterfalls.

As the place is inside a deep forest, the state government has declared the area as an elephant corridor and a biosphere reserve.

According to historians, the place had once flourished as a hub of Jainism. A wild stream flows by the Chakreswar Shiva temple here and later it forms a waterfall.

According to local legends, Chakratirtha was named after Chakrabheda (striking with wheels). Lord Vishnu had stuck his divine wheel at the place. Centuries ago, the serene and forested place was inhabited by followers of Jainism. Jain saints used to do penance in deep forests for their enlightenment.

There are two water bodies at the place – Garuda Kunda and Akash Ganga. It is believed that taking a dip in these water bodies can get divine blessings. Similarly, ancient Gadachandi temple is on a side of the Baula hill range. It was a seat of tantric cult of Buddhism. Devi Chamunda was worshipped inside a cave. Later, a temple was built for the deity. A local outfit is looking after the upkeep of the place.

In 1998, the place was recognised as a tourist centre. A wild stream flows by the temple in a scenic setting. Scores of sculptures belonging to tantric Buddhism have been recovered and preserved at different places.

The added attraction of the place is Ramchandi temple. Podasingidi is near this place. It has rich sculpture of Jainism and tantric Buddhism. Most of the sculptures are buried. Locals observed that the place needs to be explored for archeological research.  Researcher Dr Krushnachandra Nayak said the state archeology department should take up excavations to ferret out history of the place.

PNN

Anandapur: In a freak incident, a four-year-old child died after a plastic toy got stuck in his throat. The incident took place at Arjunbania village under Anandapur block in Keonjhar district Friday.

The deceased has been identified as Sonu, son of Manu Naik.

According to the deceased’s aunt Sukanti Naik, Sonu was playing with a plastic whistle. After a while, his mother found him lying unconscious on the floor. He was immediately rushed to Anandapur sub-divisional hospital.

The doctors there declared him received dead. The doctors cited the reason for the death as swallowing a plastic toy. Since the child was playing alone, unattended, he might have put the whistle into the mouth and then it got swallowed and got stuck in the throat.

Ghasipura police station sub-inspector Manoranjan Bisi said that an unnatural death case (Case No-4/21) has been registered and an investigation is underway.

PNN

Dhamnagar: At a time when Class X students across the state have braced themselves up for the annual High School Certificate (HSC) examinations, as many as 75 students of a High School, not to mention their parents, are a worried lot.

The school has only one teacher in total, and he is a Hindi teacher.

The school in question is Jagannath High School under Dehudi Anandapur panchayat of Dhamnagar block in Bhadrak district.

Earlier the school used to have two teachers- an English teacher with the present Hindi teacher. After promotion, the English teacher was transferred elsewhere.

And since then the Hindi teacher is managing the show solitarily.

The students and parents feel they are completely at sea for the school not having teachers for important subjects like Mathematics, Science and English.

The parents who are under severe mental pressure thinking about the future of their children asked how a single teacher will prepare the students for the examinations particularly when the teaching was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They further alleged that they have taken the matter up with the education department several times but to no avail.

Earlier the school used to have teachers and a reputation so parents of Anandapur panchayat and the nearby Khadipada panchayat and of villages like Sathagaon, Biroli, Dandakula and Tikhilia under Bhandaripokhari block had enrolled their children at this school.

But the current predicament of the school has left them dejected.

When contacted, block education officer (BEO) Pitambar Barik said efforts were on to send teachers to the school in one or two days.

Notably, some teachers of the Nodal School in the locality have come to the students’ rescue and have been teaching them for five days now to support the efforts of the only teacher.

PNN

Anandapur: A sprawling moat locally known as ‘gadakhai’ built by the royals at Siadimalia in Anandapur block of Keonjhar district has been wallowing in neglect.

It is alleged that the moat is gradually losing its charm while people have been encroaching upon its land.

The main attraction of the place is the moat built decades ago. The place is also known for a shrine dedicated to Maa Dhanei. A local outfit named Namo Sena has been advocating for the renovation of the moat so that it can be used for boating facilities. “If the moat is renovated and boating facilities are put in place, tourists could visit the site,” said Bijay Kumar Mishra, president of Siadimalia Maa Dhanei Committee.

Goddess Dhanei is the witness of the royal regime in the Siadimalia area. The moat and other structures sprawled over 200 acres at the royal times.

Over the years, the moat has been silted and will soon lose its existence if it is not renovated. The area was once rich with verdant greenery which used to offer a home to varieties of birds. The area seemed alive with chirping of birds, but they are not heard any longer, locals lamented.

In 2013, some locals wanted to develop the place and formed the Maa Dhanei Thakurani Committee. Some renovation work was undertaken by the committee under the supervision of the administration. Encroachments in parts of Siadimalia had been removed.

Then in 2016, the forest department made an attempt to beautify the place with plantations. This had followed the visit of then DFO Sangram Keshari Behera to the area. He took stock of the area and assured that the moat area will be renovated.

However, many years have passed since the visit of the DFO, but the development of the place has been pushed to the backburner.

Locals have demanded renovation of the place that bears testimony to the glorious royal heritage.

PNN

Anandpur: In a tragic road mishap, a man and his grandson were killed after the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a speeding truck on NH-20 near Barpada Square under Anandapur police limits in Keonjhar district Friday.

The deceased have been identified as Kirtan Nath and his grandson Keshav, residents of Haripur village.

According to an eyewitness, Kirtan and Keshav were going somewhere on a motorcycle.  As they were nearing Barpada Chowk, a speeding 10-wheeler truck rear-ended their motorcycle throwing both the rider and pillion rider onto the road. They were crushed under the wheels of the truck.

Local people rescued the duo and rushed them to Anandapur sub-divisional hospital. The doctors, however, declared them brought dead.

Local people thronged the spot and demanded action against the driver and compensation to the bereaved family. On being informed, police reached the spot, seized the vehicle and detained the driver.

A detailed investigation is underway.

PNN

Keonjhar: In a major haul, Anandapur wildlife division in Keonjhar district recovered 14 elephant tusks weighing 19 kg from Bayapita village under Harichandanpur police limits Monday night. The value of the tusks in grey market is pegged at about Rs 10 lakh.

Sources said, the forest officials were tipped off on ivory pieces being smuggled in a car Monday night. The forest officials immediately swung into action and as per the direction of Anandapur DFO (Wild Life) Ajit Satpathy, a team was formed. The team after giving a long chase in Singbila jungle and waylaid the car. They carried out a search. As many as 14 tusks, four mobile phones and a Hyundai car used for smuggling the tusks were seized.

Three persons have been detained for their involvement in the smuggling. Of them, while one is a resident of Keonjhar district, the other two hail from Jajpur and Bhadrak district respectively.

When contacted, DFO Satpathy said the identities the smugglers have revealed lack plausibility. Soon their original identities will be ascertained. It is suspected they have long been in the illegal tusk trade. The involvement of a well-managed racket cannot be ruled out.

PNN

Keonjhar: Keonjhar district reported 16 new positive cases Friday, taking the district’s tally to 757.

Out of the 16 new cases, 13 contracted the virus from two earlier patients.

These two patients are now being regarded as super spreaders in the locality.

Out of the 16 new cases, eight have been reported from ward numbers 4, 5, 7 and 12 under Anandapur municipality area and five are from Hatadihi block.

Of the remaining three cases, while Harichandanpur block and Champua block reported one each, the third one was quarantined in the suspect ward of a COVID-19 hospital.

Meanwhile, all the patients have been shifted to COVID-19 hospitals and contact tracing is underway.

Out of the 757 COVID-19 patients in the district, 255 patients are still undergoing treatment at different COVID-19 hospitals and 502 patients have so far been discharged from hospitals.

PNN

Keonjhar: The Keonjhar administration Sunday declared a partial shutdown in Anandapur Municipality area from Monday until further orders. The move came following detection of ten fresh cases of COVID-19 Sunday.

Informing about the shutdown, district collector Ashish Thakare said grocery, vegetable shops and other trading establishments dealing with essential commodities will remain open from 7 am to 2 pm. However, this timing is not applicable for medicine shops.

“During the partial shutdown period, while home delivery and e-commerce services will be allowed to function during the day, banks will operate from 8 am to 12 pm,” he added.

The collector also informed that the campus of the under construction medical college at Kabitra has been shut.

Similarly, a private steel plant in Bansapal block has also been sealed for 14 days after some workers tested positive for COVID-19. He also hinted that the shutdown restrictions might be relaxed in Barbil.

Notably, Keonjhar reported 103 coronavirus cases Sunday which is the highest single day figure so far. With this the district’s tally has gone up to 610. Of them, 219 patients are undergoing treatment at several COVID-19 hospitals while 391 patients have been discharged from the hospitals after their recovery.

PNN

Anandapur: Keonjhar denizens apprehend the collapse of a bridge near Anandapur area on the Baitarani river. The bridge is regarded as a lifeline of the district. However, it is on the verge of collapse as three of its spans have gone down recently, a report said.

Worthy to note, repairing of the bridge was earlier done in July 2019 at an expenditure of Rs 39 lakh. After the recent incident came to the fore, a team of technical experts from the Anandapur Works Department inspected the bridge and warned that it is in danger.

Also read: Suktel bridge collapse: Project supervisor arrested

“One of the spans, which has gone down was provided support with the help of wooden blocks by the department last Wednesday. The heights of the spans are 57 metres each and affected ones will be repaired soon. The spans were broken because of excessive movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge,” assistant executive engineer of Keonjhar Works Department, Sameer Kumar Adhikary informed.

After discussing the matter with the District Collector Ashish Thakare and local administration officials, information signages have been put up at both sides of the bridge to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles. Chances are that the bridge could get damaged further if movement is not restricted, Adhikary expressed.

Fresh estimation will be done for complete repair of the bridge soon. The department high-ups have been communicated on the need of a new bridge here, as an alternative for connectivity, Adhikary added.

Notably, this bridge on the river Baitarani connects national highway (NH-53) with NH-20 in the region, but has been facing structural threat times and again. Safety of lives and properties of local commuters are at stake, Keonjhar intelligentsia opined.

PNN

Keonjhar/Anandapur/Hatadihi: Tension prevailed in Hatadihi and Soro areas of Keonjhar over alleged police attack on a woman sarpanch, who is empowered as Collector at this time. Locals and inmates of a quarantine centre staged a road block in the area Wednesday.

According to reports, an ASI attacked sarpanch of Bangor panchayat and left her wounded.

A youth lodged at a quarantine centre in Bangor panchayat fled the centre at 9 pm Tuesday. On being informed about the incident, sarpanch Suprabha Rout and samiti member Vibekananda Rout rushed to the centre. The two asked Baula police outpost to file a complaint in this regard.

There was heavy rush of people at police outpost over a love affair case.  To control the crowd, Soso IIC Gagan Nayak and Ghasipura ASI Biswajit Behera reached the outpost.

Bangor samiti member Vibanekanada Rout and representative of Dhanurjapur sarpanch Biswajit Rout were at the outpost too. It was alleged that Soso IIC was bearing a grudge against Biswajit Rout and tried to arrest him along with Bangor samiti member. The lady sarpanch had strongly opposed the arrest of Bangor samiti member. It was alleged that Soso IIC had wrung the hands of the lady sarpanch. The IIC was also accused of misbehaving with the woman sarpanch, who was injured.

Tension ran high in the area over the alleged police attack on the woman sarpanch. Angry locals blocked the road over the incident. At the same time, inmates of a nearby quarantine centre came out and took part in protests as the cook engaged in the quarantine centre refused to cook for them.

Anandapur SDPO Bidyut Chandra Panda along with police force rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The SDPO said alleged misbehaviour toward the lady sarpanch by police is being investigated after a complaint was filed.

PNN

Keonjhar: Everything was okay for hundreds of weaver families living in Fakirpur area under Anandapur block in Keonjhar district, till the first phase of nationwide lockdown to prevent spread of COVID1-19 was imposed.

After the lockdown continued, they plunged into a crisis and lost their livelihood. At present, they are sitting idle with all ancillary activities in doldrums. They have been living in utter misery with no income at all.

“Due to lockdown, their tussar items such as sarees, dhoti, wrappers, stoles remain unsold. Cocoons are not available from outside and we have no work now. Moreover, we have virtually no income at all. Life has been more difficult for the last two months,” many wavers lamented.

There are 300 weaver families in the village. They weave all varieties of sartorial items with traditional handlooms and systems.

The sericulture industry had proved to be a big boon for these families before 1999 super cyclone. Rearing of silk cocoons and production of mulberry trees was flourishing prior to the super cyclone.  The gale had dealt a big blow to the booming sericulture and agro-based industry here.

While they are yet to recover from the past blow, the lockdown has made it far worse. Spinning silk cocoons and reeling the cocoons and unwinding the silk filament for value-added work such as processing and weaving have been completely been affected, said Bharat Sura, a weaver.

Sura has been into this occupation for 17 years. But this occupation is said to be a century-old in the village.

“We have stock of sarees, but they are unsold due to restrictions for the lockdown,” he added.

Pointing out the same problem, woman weaver Sabritri Sura said,” We earn from waving sarees. Now sales of silk items have been halted. Leading life has been much difficult. The government should provide financial assistance to us so that we can revive our activities at this difficult time,” he added.

Elderly weaver and trainer Akuli Sura said that silk items used to be exported, but its demand has declined for various factors. “There is a need for the government support to revive this sector at this crisis time,” he observed.

Bikash Kumar Guin, another weaver, said ”Now, we don’t get enough raw material for COVID-induced lockdown. All our items have remained unsold. Our life has been miserable. The government should extend financial support to weavers at this time.”

Experts say, being a labour intensive and predominantly agro-based activity, this sector has much to contribute to rural economy.

The Central Silk Board (CSB) has taken up sericulture development on cluster mode with participatory approaches and active participation of weavers in planning and implementation, through its flagship Catalytic Development Programme (CDP). This should be executed in letter and spirit in this area, they noted.

They pointed out that the Silk Board of India has provision of holding training camps at their doorsteps of weavers so as to train them in this household traditional business and can stand on their feet at this crisis time.

Ananadapur sub-collector Rabindra Sahu said there is no provision of financial help for weavers during the lockdown. If any assistance is available, they will be provided, he assured.

PNN

Champua: This sub-division in Keonjhar district is still continuing as a ‘green zone’. This is because no COVID-19 cases have been reported from here. However, the situation may change if the movement of labourers is not stopped immediately.

Keonjhar district registered its first COVID-19 case from Anandapur sub-division a few days back. Since then the local administration here has started taking precautionary measures seriously. Entry and exit points to this sub-division have been sealed. Migrant workers who are returning from Jharkhand are being put under quarantine.

However, the cause for concern lies elsewhere. There are many labourers in this sub-division who travel across the border to Jamshedpur in Jharkhand on a daily basis. Similarly people from that state also enter this block to work. However, many such persons are using the ‘village roads’ to go to their respective destinations. They are avoiding the main roads to avoid police inspection. There is always that fear lurking that these people may be responsible for the spread of coronavirus in this sub-division.

Local residents spotted Thursday some labourers going through the Champua market area here on bicycles. They were going towards Jamshedpur which is just a few kilometres from here. Locals said that they were well acquainted with the ‘kuccha roads’ that help them to avoid police detection.

“If such movement is not checked, the sub-division will soon become a red zone,” locals said.

PNN

Anandapur: Family members of those stuck in different parts of the country amid nationwide lockdown have been queuing up at panchayat offices here in Keonjhar district to get the names of their near and dear ones registered. A similar picture was seen at Baunsagarh panchayat office under Anandapur subdivision Saturday.

After being told that the registration would help make their return and subsequent 14-day quarantine easy, the family members have started queuing up at Baunsagarh panchayat office.

According to locals, more than 400 people from Baunsagarh panchayat are working in different parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Bangalore. After May 3, when the lockdown is lifted, they are all expected to come to the panchayat.

The panchayat has so far arranged quarantine facility for 50 persons and preparation is underway for another 50, sarpanch Dayanidhi Ghadei said. While a 50-bed quarantine centre has already been ready at Government Ashram School, process is underway for another centre with same capacity, he informed.

That said, how the panchayat will accommodate 400 returnees in only two centres while maintaining social distancing perturbs many.

Anandapur: A kidney disease has reportedly spread in the tribal-dominated Kantipal panchayat under Anadapur block in Keonjhar district. In the last 20 days, four people have allegedly died of the disease, striking panic among locals, a report said.

According to reports, the number of kidney diseases is on the rise at Biridiha, Kantipal and Baruan villages. Though the exact reason for the outbreak of the disease is not known, it is suspected that consumption of drinking water could be a possible reason for it.

Following media reports, a human rights activist has taken up the issue with the Odisha Human Rights Commission. Alleging apathy by the health department, rights activist Himansu Sekhar Nayak appealed to the OHRC, seeking its direction for immediate remedial measures in the area.

In February, Nira Jena (51) of Biridiha, Mini Dehuri (18), Bata Ho (32) of Baruan, Ghanshyam Hembram of Kantipal (37) died of kidney disease.

The disease has affected many others in the area. Ballabh Barik (49) and Kailash Jena (58) of Biridiha were admitted to Anandapur sub-divisional hospital.

Maguni Sahu, 52, another affected, is undergoing treatment at home. Locals apprehend that the disease is likely to spread into other areas.

Social activists and intellectuals like Nityananda Jena, Gouranga Jena and Kamdev Sahu said the government should send a medical team to look into why this disease is spreading in this particular area.

On the other hand, the human rights activist has sought compensation to the bereaved families.

He has pointed out that in 2018, the disease had played havoc affecting 30 people in the area. Seven of them had died. It had then triggered panic among people.

As most of the villagers are from poor economic background, they are unable to afford costly treatment for the disease. Meanwhile, villagers have demanded free medical treatment for the affected people.