biswanath

Odisha grapples with severe power outages amid a scorching heatwave, leaving rural residents struggling with non-functional fans and water pumps. Protests erupted across multiple districts, including Mayurbhanj and Ganjam, as villagers demanded uninterrupted electricity. The Energy Minister acknowledged transformer overloads due to heat and assured swift restoration efforts.

In a significant breakthrough, authorities in Assam's Lakhimpur district have taken decisive action against wildlife crime, apprehending three suspects believed to be orchestrating rhino poaching in the renowned Kaziranga National Park. The arrests, made possible by timely intelligence, occurred in Narayanpur, where forest officials seized parts of firearms during the operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to curb non-essential gold purchases has raised concerns within Odisha's jewellery industry. Jewellers argue gold is integral to traditions, and a slowdown threatens the livelihoods of artisans and goldsmiths who depend on steady demand, especially during wedding and festival seasons.

Assam's biswanath constituency sees a key contest between BJP's Binod Hazarika and Congress's Pranjal Ghatowar. Exit polls predict a BJP-led alliance victory, potentially keeping Himanta Biswa Sarma as Chief Minister. High voter turnout across the state signals strong public engagement with issues like flooding and unemployment in tea garden areas.

In West Bengal's Panihati, BJP candidate Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, is leading in early vote counts against TMC's Tirthankar Ghosh. The high-voltage contest, a departure from TMC's traditional stronghold, is closely watched to see if the emotive RG Kar case influences voter sentiment and electoral outcomes.

In a troubling turn of events, Kolkata recorded two tragic fatalities within just one day following the elections. A member of the Trinamool party was discovered dead in his home in Beleghata, with family members claiming he was assaulted. Meanwhile, a BJP worker lost his life in New Town after an altercation with Trinamool supporters regarding a party office.

In a bold maneuver, the BJP introduced 16 fresh candidates for Assam's assembly elections, mixing experience with youthful energy by including six seasoned party veterans and ten dynamic newcomers. The strategic move, which saw 21 sitting MLAs being replaced, paid off handsomely as every first-time contender emerged victorious, cementing a resounding 82-seat win for the NDA.

As counting trends solidify, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to lead the BJP to a third consecutive term, marking a significant setback for the Congress and a fragmented opposition. The BJP-led alliance's dominance is evident as key opposition players struggle to translate their campaigns into electoral victories, signaling a familiar outcome for the state's political landscape.

Puri police have busted an IPL betting racket, arresting four individuals and seizing over Rs 25 lakh in cash. An additional Rs 31.81 lakh was frozen from their bank accounts. The accused allegedly operated an online betting application, luring hundreds to bet on IPL matches for the past two years.

Odisha's Law Commission proposes a strict dress code for the Jagannath Temple, mandating traditional attire for priests and specific outfits for devotees, including a ban on women wearing shirts and jeans. The recommendations, currently under government review, also suggest harsher penalties for temple property encroachment and misconduct by servitors.

Over 40 consumers in Cuttack have reported being cheated by a gas agency, receiving delivery confirmation messages without actual LPG cylinder deliveries since March. Despite complaints, affected residents are frustrated by the lack of action. The collector has assured a thorough investigation and strict measures against those responsible.

The HSLC results from Assam reveal a commendable pass rate of 65.62%, with boys leading the charge ahead of girls. Jyotirmoy Das emerged as the state’s shining star, scoring 591 marks. Dima Hasao district took the lead with impressive pass percentages, while Cachar faced challenges in this regard.

The Assam State School Education Board will declare the HSLC Class 10 Results 2026 on Friday at 10:30 AM. Over 4 lakh students who appeared for the February exams can access their digital mark sheets online by entering roll details. The exams were conducted across 1,046 centres in multiple languages. The results will also be released in PDF gazette format, listing qualified candidates and enabling students to plan their next academic steps.

Odisha is planning stringent legal action against abusive social media posts, with a new law proposed to curb online defamation and offensive content. The State Law Commission recommended the 'Prevention of Hate Speech and Hate Crime Act' to address the growing toxicity on digital platforms.