Odisha: Prime accused arrested in assault of women over allegations of religious conversion bid
Balasore (PTI): The prime accused in the assault of two women over allegations that they were attempting religious conversion of some tribal families in Odisha's Balasore district was arrested, police said.
Addressing a press conference, DIG (Eastern Range) Satyajit Naik on Tuesday said prime accused Badal Panda, a native of Kansa village in Nilagiri police station area, was arrested on Monday.
With this, four people were arrested in the case, he said.
Two women were tied to a tree and beaten up by a mob over the allegation that they were attempting religious conversion of some tribal families. The incident happened in Gobardhanpur village on Thursday and a video of it went viral on social media, they said.
Two cases were registered in connection with the incident that triggered nationwide outrage and political slugfest in the state.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the National Commission for Women (NCW) sought a report from Odisha DGP YB Khurania within three days.
"The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking media report from Balasore, Odisha, where two tribal women were tied to a tree and assaulted on suspicion of religious conversion. FIRs have reportedly been registered against both the women and their assaulters. The Commission has directed the DGP of the state to conduct a fair, time-bound investigation and ensure peace and law and order. A detailed action taken report must be submitted within 3 days," it posted on X.
The DIG said the police acted immediately and rescued the women, besides arresting the accused.
He said the police are also looking into the case in which it was alleged that the women were attempting religious conversions
"Some people have been issued notices in this case. There is an allegation of conversion and villagers had also protested," he said.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
