300 kg precious stones seized in Kalahandi 

Bhawanipatna: Precious stones weighing more than 300 kg have been seized by the STF at Palash village under the Junagarh police limits in Kalahandi district, police sources said on Monday. A person, identified as Sujit Kumar Meher of the village, has been arrested for illegal possession and sale of the stones. During the house search, four gunny bags containing precious stones (ruby and panna) were seized from his possession. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of IPC and Section 12 of Odisha Mineral Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and other Unlawful Activities Act has been registered.

Mayurbhanj Rajmata passes away

Baripada: Mayurbhanj Rajmata Bharati Rajya Laxmi Devi passed away at the Belgadia Palace here on Sunday. She was 94. Daughter of Nepal Naresh Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah, she had married Mayurbhanj Maharaja Pradeep Chandra Bhanj Deo in 1952. Bhanj Deo had passed away in 2000. “She was an avid art and culture enthusiast with a passion for sports. She was a philanthropist and strong advocate for women’s education and empowerment. She will be remembered for her grace, dignity, and compassion and especially for being a guiding light for everyone she knew and spent time with,” a tweet from the Belgadia Palace said.

Prisons DG Upadhyay bereaved 

Baleswar: Well-known social worker, Basanti Upadhyay passed away on Monday at the age of 77. She is survived by her son Santosh Upadhyay, who is DG, Prisons and Correctional Services.

Youth dies as bike hits tree in Nayagarh

Bhapur(Nayagarh): In a tragic mishap, a 20-year-old youth, Chintu Pradhan, of Fategarh was killed as his motorcycle hit a roadside tree at Shalapada chhak on Monday. He was returning home from Khandapada to Fategarh when he lost control over the vehicle. He succumbed to the injuries on the way to a hospital in Khordha.