Incidents in 2017 that shocked Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Year 2017 has been an eventful year for Odisha. It saw many highs in various fields. However, some unfortunate incidents shook Odisha. Odisha Sun Times has compiled a list of some of the damning incidents.

Fire at Bhubaneswar-based hotelier’s house killed five:

A devastating fire that possibly broke out due to electrical short circuit at the house of Hotel Pal Heights’ owner Satpal Singh killed five persons, including four of his family members. The fire broke out in the wee hours on the second floor of his house in Laxmisagar area when the members were asleep. With the help of fire tenders, the charred bodies of Satpal’s son Gagan Pal Singh, daughter-in-law Bhavana, grandchildren Suhavi and Ruveer were recovered. This apart, a minor domestic help also died in the mishap. The incident had sent shock waves in the city and elsewhere.

Edupreneur’s suicide:

Owner of Padhee’s tutorial Janaki Ballava Padhi allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his house in Brahmeswarpatna area in Bhubaneswar. While a 10-page suicide note purportedly written by Padhi was recovered from the spot, the investigating officers attributed the motive to loan burden and acute stress.

Bomikhal flyover collapse:

A portion of the under construction railway overbridge over Bomikhal railway crossing collapsed killing a biker; injuring his minor daughter while they were passing near it. The incident shocked the residents and left them panicky as initially it was suspected that some people might have been be trapped under the debris. Fire department officials, ODRAF teams and officials of government agencies joined hands for the rescue operation. Fortunately, none was found to be trapped under it, much to the relief of the denizens.

Kunduli gangrape:

The alleged gangrape of a Class IX girl by four men in uniform at a forested area in Kunduli earlier in October this year had created much furore among locals and political circles alike. The minor girl was on her way from the local market in Koraput when the perpetrators forcibly took her to a nearby forest where she was allegedly raped. While judicial and Crime Branch probe were ordered, the investigators are yet to come up with any breakthrough. Few days ago, the victim had levelled serious allegations against state DGP of attempting to bribe her.

Hirakhand Express train derailment:

At least 40 passengers were killed and over 60 injured when Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, earlier in January this year. Several people from Odisha were killed in one of the worst train tragedies.