News for '-kalahandi'

Maoist Leader Kills Commander Over Surrender Plot

Maoist Leader Kills Commander Over Surrender Plot

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

A wanted Maoist leader allegedly killed his commander for planning to surrender to the Odisha Police, revealing internal conflicts within the group.

Vehicles torched, fake Maoist posters used in Odisha extortion bid

Vehicles torched, fake Maoist posters used in Odisha extortion bid

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Miscreants torched three vehicles of a local contractor and put up fake Maoist posters in Odisha's Kalahandi district. Police suspect the Maoist angle is fabricated and are investigating local involvement.

Rain lashes AP, Odisha as 'Montha' turns into severe cyclonic storm

Rain lashes AP, Odisha as 'Montha' turns into severe cyclonic storm

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued high sea waves, up to 4.7 metres high, warning across several coastal districts.

Cyclone Montha lashes Andhra, Odisha; 76K in relief camps, flights cancelled

Cyclone Montha lashes Andhra, Odisha; 76K in relief camps, flights cancelled

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Severe cyclonic storm 'Montha' has begun making landfall off the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the process expected to continue for the next three to four hours. The storm is expected to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, with wind speeds of 90-100 kmph.

Man beheaded on suspicion of sorcery in Odisha

Man beheaded on suspicion of sorcery in Odisha

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The headless body of the victim, identified as Rupsingh Majhi of Deypur village under Kalampur police limits, was recovered from a village pond.

BJD sprinkles 'Ganga Jal' in Odisha assembly after police entry

BJD sprinkles 'Ganga Jal' in Odisha assembly after police entry

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

Legislators of the opposition BJD in Odisha sprinkled 'Ganga Jal' in the state Assembly, alleging that the House had been "spiritually polluted" by the entry of policemen. The incident follows a protest by Congress members demanding a House Committee to probe crimes against women, which led to police intervention and the eviction of Congress MLAs from the Assembly. BJD members claim the police action was unprecedented and brought shame to Odisha. The Speaker denounced the act, while the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister asserted the House's inherent purity. The opposition also alleged that police prevented BJD MLAs from leaving the assembly premises on the following day.

How a selfie with wife proved fatal for top Maoist

How a selfie with wife proved fatal for top Maoist

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

Chalapathi, a top leader of the CPI(Maoist) and a key figure in the 2008 Nayagarh armoury attack in Odisha, was killed in a gunfight with security forces at the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. He was one of 14 Maoists killed in the encounter, which lasted for two days. Chalapathi, who had been a mystery to security agencies for decades, was eventually identified through a selfie with his wife, Aruna, found in an abandoned smartphone. He was considered an expert in military tactics and guerrilla warfare and had played a significant role in expanding the Maoist network in Odisha.

All about BCCI's new National Cricket Academy

All about BCCI's new National Cricket Academy

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

The new National Cricket Academy which was inaugurated in Bengaluru on Sunday has been renamed as the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

At 120 kmph, cyclonic storm may hit Odisha-WB coasts by Oct 24: IMD

At 120 kmph, cyclonic storm may hit Odisha-WB coasts by Oct 24: IMD

Rediff.com20 Oct 2024

According to weather officials, wind speeds along and off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts are anticipated to reach 60 km/h from October 23, increasing to 120 km/h from October 24 night to October 25 morning.

Why does Naveen Patnaik prefer turncoats as LS candidates?

Why does Naveen Patnaik prefer turncoats as LS candidates?

Rediff.com4 Apr 2024

Out of the 20 candidates announced by the BJD for the 21 Lok Sabha seats, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's party has nominated at least seven leaders who came from either the Bharatiya Janata Party or the Congress.

'Only Cure For Migration Is To Create Jobs'

'Only Cure For Migration Is To Create Jobs'

Rediff.com18 May 2024

The Odisha government told the assembly over 40,000 workers migrated from the state last year, with the highest number -- 26,151 -- from Balangir.

BJD fields 33% women candidates, 38% turncoats in LS polls

BJD fields 33% women candidates, 38% turncoats in LS polls

Rediff.com11 Apr 2024

Nayak had earlier resigned from the BJD and joined the BJP and got a nomination from the saffron party.

She is my physiotherapist, Odisha CM opens up on Vatican trip companion

She is my physiotherapist, Odisha CM opens up on Vatican trip companion

Rediff.com4 Oct 2023

Clearing the air before the end of the monsoon session on Tuesday, the CM said, "Shradha is a physiotherapist sent by my sister late Gita Mehta to take care of my physical fitness."

3,000 more CAPF troops to fight Naxals in Chhattisgarh

3,000 more CAPF troops to fight Naxals in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com31 Dec 2023

Three battalions of the Border Security Force comprising more than 3,000 personnel will move across the border from Odisha to Chhattisgarh and an equal number of Indo-Tibetan Border Police units will further move into the Naxal stronghold of Abujhmad as part of a strategy to intensify anti-Maoist operations in their last bastions, official sources said.

Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian formally joins BJD

Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian formally joins BJD

Rediff.com27 Nov 2023

The 2000-batch IAS officer, who sparked several controversies and was accused of violating the service rule, had taken voluntary retirement from government service on October 23 this year.

Odisha CM's private secretary gets Cabinet rank post day after VRS

Odisha CM's private secretary gets Cabinet rank post day after VRS

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

Pandian joined the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in 2011, and since then, he has been Patnaik's private secretary.

Old Parliament building to be now known as...

Old Parliament building to be now known as...

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

The old Parliament building will now be known as 'Samvidhan Sadan', Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday as the functioning of Parliament shifted to its new building in New Delhi.

Policeman clearly intended to kill Odisha minister Das, says FIR

Policeman clearly intended to kill Odisha minister Das, says FIR

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

The Odisha police, in its FIR on the killing of Health minister Naba Kishore Das, said the accused assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gopal Das had "clear intention" to kill the minister.

'Multi-headed selfish alliance': BJP plays down Oppn unity meet

'Multi-headed selfish alliance': BJP plays down Oppn unity meet

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

The remarks by the BJP leaders came as 17 opposition parties resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the saffron party and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They dubbed the planned alliance as "unholy and opportunistic".

Rain wreaks havoc in parts of India; 17 dead, thousands moved to safety

Rain wreaks havoc in parts of India; 17 dead, thousands moved to safety

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

Incessant showers caused landslides and floods in various parts of the country leaving at least 17 people dead on Wednesday while thousands more were forced to move to safety as rivers swelled and water reservoirs filled up fast.

Cyclone Asani weakens; Odisha, Bengal brace for downpour

Cyclone Asani weakens; Odisha, Bengal brace for downpour

Rediff.com11 May 2022

'It is very likely to move nearly northwards for next few hour and recurve slowly north-northeastwards along Narsapur, Yanam, Kakinada, Tuni and Visakhapatnam coasts during noon to evening on Wednesday and emerge into west central Bay of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh coasts by night,' the India Meteorological Department said in its national bulletin.

Naveen Patnaik announces four BJD candidates for Rajya Sabha polls

Naveen Patnaik announces four BJD candidates for Rajya Sabha polls

Rediff.com29 May 2022

The announcement came on a day that marks the third anniversary of the Naveen Patnaik-led government's fifth tenure in the state.

BJD sweeps Odisha panchayat polls; BJP, Cong far behind

BJD sweeps Odisha panchayat polls; BJP, Cong far behind

Rediff.com1 Mar 2022

The latest trend issued by the State Election Commission showed the BJD had already won or was leading in 762 Zilla Parishad seats, as compared to BJP's 46 and Congress's 36 seats.

10 Odisha villages marooned in flash flood

10 Odisha villages marooned in flash flood

Rediff.com24 Jun 2013

At least 10 villages of Odisha's Kalahandi district were marooned in flood waters due to heavy rains at the catchment areas of river Indravati leading to disruption of road communications in different western Odisha district and halt of power generation from the Upper Indravati Hydel project.

Droupadi Murmu's journey from Councillor to President

Droupadi Murmu's journey from Councillor to President

Rediff.com21 Jul 2022

At 64, the woman who will be India's 15th president, taking over from Ram Nath Kovind, will also be the youngest and India's first President to be born after Independence.

Help pours in for Dana Majhi, who walked 10 km with dead wife on shoulder

Help pours in for Dana Majhi, who walked 10 km with dead wife on shoulder

Rediff.com16 Sep 2016

A little bewildered by the turn of events and the sudden attention on him and one who candidly says he does not know what one lakh means, Majhi, who hails from remote Melaghar village in Kalahandi district, has seen his kitty swell to Rs 15 lakh. But he sorely misses his wife.

Probe ordered after tribal man denied ambulance, forced to carry wife's body

Probe ordered after tribal man denied ambulance, forced to carry wife's body

Rediff.com25 Aug 2016

The incident took place on Wednesday when locals found Majhi carrying his wife Amang Dei's body along with his 12-year-old daughter.

Cyclone Daye hits Odisha coast, triggers heavy downpour

Cyclone Daye hits Odisha coast, triggers heavy downpour

Rediff.com21 Sep 2018

The state government has instructed officials in coastal districts and various departments to be alert to tackle any emergency situation

Third gram sabha rejects Niyamgiri mining plan

Third gram sabha rejects Niyamgiri mining plan

Rediff.com24 Jul 2013

Of 22 eligible voters in the village, 19 persons -- 12 women and 7 men -- attended the gram sabha, despite heavy rains to voice their opposition to the project. Tadijhola, located on the foothills of Niyamgiri, is predominantly inhabited by the milkmen community.

Jets, troops and floats: Pomp and power at R-Day parade

Jets, troops and floats: Pomp and power at R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

In a display of India's military might, the Rafale fighter jets took part in the Republic Day flypast for the first time as the armed forces showcased its T-90 tanks, the Samvijay electronic warfare system and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets on the Rajpath on Tuesday. Depicting the nation's rich cultural heritage and economic progress, 17 tableaux from states and union territories and nine from different Union ministries and paramilitary forces took part in the 72nd Republic day parade.

Patnaik breaks 53-day silence on teacher's murder, says case 'politicised'

Patnaik breaks 53-day silence on teacher's murder, says case 'politicised'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2021

The teacher was kidnapped and murdered on October 8, while her body was exhumed from a school playground on October 19. Two people, including the prime accused, were arrested.

Vedanta hopes to reopen Lanjigarh refinery by June-end

Vedanta hopes to reopen Lanjigarh refinery by June-end

Rediff.com7 Jun 2013

The company shut down its 1-mtpa (million tonnes per annum) alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district in the state on December 5 due to acute shortage of bauxite to feed its plant.

India's shock loss claims life of cricket fan in Bengal

India's shock loss claims life of cricket fan in Bengal

Rediff.com11 Jul 2019

India's shock defeat against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday claimed the life of a sports enthusiast in West Bengal, while another tried to commit suicide in Odisha.

India to show military might, cultural heritage at R-Day parade

India to show military might, cultural heritage at R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

The Indian Army will showcase the main battle tank T-90 Bhishma, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II-Sarath, mobile autonomous launcher of the Brahmos missile system, multi-launcher rocket system Pinaka, electronic warfare system Samvijay among others during the parade on Tuesday, the Defence ministry noted.

Naveen Patnaik will be Odisha CM for Life

Naveen Patnaik will be Odisha CM for Life

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

Because he knows Odisha; and Odisha knows him, observes Aditi Phadnis.

Google's free Wi-Fi service arrives at Bhubaneswar railway station

Google's free Wi-Fi service arrives at Bhubaneswar railway station

Rediff.com17 Apr 2016

The project will eventually be rolled out to cover 400 railway stations across India

Why migrants cycle hundreds of kms to reach home

Why migrants cycle hundreds of kms to reach home

Rediff.com12 May 2020

After five weeks of lockdown, migrant workers' patience ran out and so did the money, which forced them to leave Mumbai on bicycles.

HC rejects Vedanta expansion bid plea

HC rejects Vedanta expansion bid plea

Rediff.com19 Jul 2011

The high court, however, allowed the company to make a fresh bid to obtain environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest for any further expansion of its existing units.

Orissa: CRPF jawan held for helping Maoists

Orissa: CRPF jawan held for helping Maoists

Rediff.com28 Jan 2011

A Central Reserve Police Force jawan and a motor mechanic were arrested on Friday for allegedly working for Maoists and providing them information about anti-Naxal operations in Orissa's Sundargarh district. Jawan Satyaban Bhoi, 38, was working in the CRPF's intelligence wing and was posted in the 19th battalion of the paramilitary force in Bisra. Mechanic Tarun Das, 26, ran a motor vehicle repair garage at the same place.

Be patient, Orissa govt tells Vedanta

Be patient, Orissa govt tells Vedanta

Rediff.com8 Sep 2010

A delegation of Vedanta Group led by Kumar met Mohanty and urged him to accelerate process of providing alternative source of bauxite after the company was refused permission to start mining atop Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi district.