News Analysis India

Tag: Chhattisgarh

  • ED gets custody of Chhattisgarh CM’s aide for 4 more days in money laundering case 

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: A special court here on Tuesday allowed the custodial interrogation of bureaucrat Saumya Chaurasia, a deputy secretary posted in Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for four more days in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal levy scam in the state.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sameer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari and two other accused by four more days in the same case.

    Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajay Singh Rajput extended the ED remand by four days of Chaurasia after she was produced before the court on the expiry of her current custody, said Chaurasia’s lawyer Faizal Rizvi.

    Rizvi said the ED had demanded ten-day custody of Chaurasia, but he opposed the plea in the court citing she had been cooperating in the investigation and appeared nine times before the central agency in response to its summons before her arrest.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Vishnoi, Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal by four days, he said.

    They will be produced in the court on December 10, Rizvi added.

    Chaurasia, considered an influential bureaucrat, was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after questioning on December 2.

    The money laundering investigation was launched after the ED took cognisance of an Income Tax department complaint.

    The financial crimes probe agency in October carried out multi-city raids in the state as part of its probe.

    It also arrested IAS officer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal and named them as accused.

    The case pertained to “a massive scam in which an illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in Chhattisgarh by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen,” the ED had said.

    Chief Minister Baghel had dubbed the central probe agency’s action to arrest Chaurasia as “politically motivated.”

    RAIPUR: A special court here on Tuesday allowed the custodial interrogation of bureaucrat Saumya Chaurasia, a deputy secretary posted in Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for four more days in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal levy scam in the state.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sameer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari and two other accused by four more days in the same case.

    Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajay Singh Rajput extended the ED remand by four days of Chaurasia after she was produced before the court on the expiry of her current custody, said Chaurasia’s lawyer Faizal Rizvi.

    Rizvi said the ED had demanded ten-day custody of Chaurasia, but he opposed the plea in the court citing she had been cooperating in the investigation and appeared nine times before the central agency in response to its summons before her arrest.

    The court also extended the judicial custody of Vishnoi, Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal by four days, he said.

    They will be produced in the court on December 10, Rizvi added.

    Chaurasia, considered an influential bureaucrat, was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after questioning on December 2.

    The money laundering investigation was launched after the ED took cognisance of an Income Tax department complaint.

    The financial crimes probe agency in October carried out multi-city raids in the state as part of its probe.

    It also arrested IAS officer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and another coal businessman Sunil Agrawal and named them as accused.

    The case pertained to “a massive scam in which an illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in Chhattisgarh by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen,” the ED had said.

    Chief Minister Baghel had dubbed the central probe agency’s action to arrest Chaurasia as “politically motivated.”

  • Chhattisgarh: Four newborn babies die at govt hospital in Ambikapur; probe ordered 

    By PTI

    AMBIKAPUR: Four newborn babies died in the special neonatal care unit (SNCU) of a government hospital in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district on Monday, prompting the state government to order a probe, an official said.

    The deaths occurred between 5.30 am and 8.30 am at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Ambikapur, around 300 km from the capital Raipur, collector Kundan Kumar told reporters.

    While the kin of the deceased infants claimed that the babies, two of whom were on ventilator support, died as a result of a power outage in the hospital, the administration has maintained that the deaths can’t be linked to the power cut.

    “The four babies were in critical condition and were admitted to the special neonatal care unit (SNCU) of the hospital. Of them, two were on ventilator support,” the collector said.

    As per preliminary information, there was a fluctuation in the power supply in the hospital between 1 am and 1.30 am, which was rectified in a short while.

    Chhattisgarh | 4 infants died at Ambikapur Medical College allegedly due to a power cut for 4 hrs in SNCU ward last nightI’ve instructed Health Secy to form probe team. Going to Ambikapur Hospital to gather more info. Further action will be ensured after probe: State Health Min pic.twitter.com/J0lWxsnfEC
    — ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) December 5, 2022
    However, such a fluctuation does not affect the SNCU, as it has an alternate power supply, which was functioning, he said.

    At least 30 to 35 children are undergoing treatment in the SNCU, the official said.

    A detailed investigation into the matter is underway, following which the exact cause of death will be known, he said, adding that the medical report of the four infants will soon be released by the hospital.

    ALSO READ | New born suffers fracture during delivery at Uddanapalli PHC in Tamil Nadu

    Meanwhile, state Health Minister TS Singh Deo has directed the health secretary to constitute a team to probe the incident.

    “After learning about the death of four infants in Ambikapur Medical College Hospital, I asked the health secretary to constitute a probe team and send it to the spot for an enquiry. I have also apprised Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel,” Singh Deo said in a video statement.

    The minister said he will be reaching Ambikapur in a helicopter this afternoon and will visit the hospital. He has also directed officials to take stern action if necessary into the matter.

    ALSO READ | New born abandoned in train toilet near Andhra Pradesh’s Simhachalam station

    Parents of the deceased infants have alleged that the power supply in the hospital was disrupted for more than three hours in the night, and accused the hospital staff of negligence.

    Expressing grief over the incident, Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey directed the state government to take appropriate action into it after investigating the cause of death and ensure relief to the kin of the deceased babies.

    AMBIKAPUR: Four newborn babies died in the special neonatal care unit (SNCU) of a government hospital in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district on Monday, prompting the state government to order a probe, an official said.

    The deaths occurred between 5.30 am and 8.30 am at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Ambikapur, around 300 km from the capital Raipur, collector Kundan Kumar told reporters.

    While the kin of the deceased infants claimed that the babies, two of whom were on ventilator support, died as a result of a power outage in the hospital, the administration has maintained that the deaths can’t be linked to the power cut.

    “The four babies were in critical condition and were admitted to the special neonatal care unit (SNCU) of the hospital. Of them, two were on ventilator support,” the collector said.

    As per preliminary information, there was a fluctuation in the power supply in the hospital between 1 am and 1.30 am, which was rectified in a short while.

    Chhattisgarh | 4 infants died at Ambikapur Medical College allegedly due to a power cut for 4 hrs in SNCU ward last night
    I’ve instructed Health Secy to form probe team. Going to Ambikapur Hospital to gather more info. Further action will be ensured after probe: State Health Min pic.twitter.com/J0lWxsnfEC
    — ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) December 5, 2022
    However, such a fluctuation does not affect the SNCU, as it has an alternate power supply, which was functioning, he said.

    At least 30 to 35 children are undergoing treatment in the SNCU, the official said.

    A detailed investigation into the matter is underway, following which the exact cause of death will be known, he said, adding that the medical report of the four infants will soon be released by the hospital.

    ALSO READ | New born suffers fracture during delivery at Uddanapalli PHC in Tamil Nadu

    Meanwhile, state Health Minister TS Singh Deo has directed the health secretary to constitute a team to probe the incident.

    “After learning about the death of four infants in Ambikapur Medical College Hospital, I asked the health secretary to constitute a probe team and send it to the spot for an enquiry. I have also apprised Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel,” Singh Deo said in a video statement.

    The minister said he will be reaching Ambikapur in a helicopter this afternoon and will visit the hospital. He has also directed officials to take stern action if necessary into the matter.

    ALSO READ | New born abandoned in train toilet near Andhra Pradesh’s Simhachalam station

    Parents of the deceased infants have alleged that the power supply in the hospital was disrupted for more than three hours in the night, and accused the hospital staff of negligence.

    Expressing grief over the incident, Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey directed the state government to take appropriate action into it after investigating the cause of death and ensure relief to the kin of the deceased babies.

  • Six women among seven killed as part of limestone mine collapses in Chhattisgarh village

    By PTI

    JAGDALPUR: Seven persons were killed after some portion of a limestone mine collapsed on them at their village in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Friday, police said.

    The deceased included six women, they said.

    The incident took place in Maalgaon village under Nagarnar police station area, around 12 km away from Jagdalpur, the headquarter of the district, a police official here said.

    “The victims were digging soil in the mine when a part of it caved in, due to which they got trapped under the debris,” he said.

    Soon after being alerted about it, police personnel rushed to the spot and launched the rescue operation, he said.

    While five persons died on the spot, two others succumbed while they were being shifted to a hospital, he said.

    As per the preliminary information, only seven persons were digging the soil but the rescue work is still underway, he added.

    JAGDALPUR: Seven persons were killed after some portion of a limestone mine collapsed on them at their village in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Friday, police said.

    The deceased included six women, they said.

    The incident took place in Maalgaon village under Nagarnar police station area, around 12 km away from Jagdalpur, the headquarter of the district, a police official here said.

    “The victims were digging soil in the mine when a part of it caved in, due to which they got trapped under the debris,” he said.

    Soon after being alerted about it, police personnel rushed to the spot and launched the rescue operation, he said.

    While five persons died on the spot, two others succumbed while they were being shifted to a hospital, he said.

    As per the preliminary information, only seven persons were digging the soil but the rescue work is still underway, he added.

  • Chhattisgarh: Two dead, 70 hospitalised due to diarrhoea in Bhilai in Durg district

    By PTI

    DURG: Two persons have died and 70 are hospitalized due to diarrhoea after drinking contaminated water in Bhilai in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, a health official said on Thursday.

    As many as 91 persons were admitted due the ailment over the last two days, of which two, identified as M Madhvi (12) and Kush Daharia (31), died on Wednesday, Durg Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr JP Meshram said.

    “Those afflicted have been admitted in Urban Primary Health Centre in Baikunth Dham, Civil Hospital, BM Shah Hospital and SS Hospital in Bhilai, Ambe Hospital in Power House area,” he added.

    As many as 91 persons were admitted, of which 21 have been discharged, Meshram said, adding the number of cases were on the rise.

    Officials said the vector-borne disease was reported on Wednesday from Vrindavan Nagar, JP Nagar, Santosh Para and other localities in Camp Area.

    Durg Collector Pushpendra Kumar Meena and civic officials visited these hospitals, they said, adding a medical combat team has been formed to tackle the situation.

    “A nine-member team has been constituted to find out the reason behind the supply of contaminated drinking water. It will check pipelines, including those laid alongside drains. It will submit its report in 10 days,” Bhilai Mayor Neeraj Pal said.

    The civic authority has made arrangements to supply drinking water through tankers, Pal added.

    DURG: Two persons have died and 70 are hospitalized due to diarrhoea after drinking contaminated water in Bhilai in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, a health official said on Thursday.

    As many as 91 persons were admitted due the ailment over the last two days, of which two, identified as M Madhvi (12) and Kush Daharia (31), died on Wednesday, Durg Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr JP Meshram said.

    “Those afflicted have been admitted in Urban Primary Health Centre in Baikunth Dham, Civil Hospital, BM Shah Hospital and SS Hospital in Bhilai, Ambe Hospital in Power House area,” he added.

    As many as 91 persons were admitted, of which 21 have been discharged, Meshram said, adding the number of cases were on the rise.

    Officials said the vector-borne disease was reported on Wednesday from Vrindavan Nagar, JP Nagar, Santosh Para and other localities in Camp Area.

    Durg Collector Pushpendra Kumar Meena and civic officials visited these hospitals, they said, adding a medical combat team has been formed to tackle the situation.

    “A nine-member team has been constituted to find out the reason behind the supply of contaminated drinking water. It will check pipelines, including those laid alongside drains. It will submit its report in 10 days,” Bhilai Mayor Neeraj Pal said.

    The civic authority has made arrangements to supply drinking water through tankers, Pal added.

  • BJP’s pick for Bhanupratappur bypoll is rape accused: Chhattisgarh Cong tells authorities

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Congress on Monday complained to the returning officer (RO) seeking cancellation of the candidature of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Brahmanand Netam for the Bhanupratappur bypoll for allegedly concealing in his election affidavit a rape case registered against him.

    The Congress had, on Sunday, claimed Netam is an accused in a rape case lodged in 2019 in neighbouring Jharkhand and that he had not mentioned its details in his election affidavit.

    Netam had refuted the charges and termed it as the Congress’ conspiracy to malign his image.

    The December 5 bypoll to the Scheduled Tribe-reserved Bhanupratappur seat in Kanker district was necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA and deputy speaker of the Assembly Manoj Singh Mandavi last month.

    On Monday, state Congress chief Mohan Markam reached the office of RO Sumit Agrawal, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Kanker Zila Panchayat, and submitted a complaint seeking cancellation of Netam’s candidature.

    “Netam has concealed the criminal offence registered against him in the election affidavit, which is a violation of the Representation of People Act 1951. Therefore, we have demanded the RO cancel his nomination,” Markam told reporters.

    “The true character of BJP has been exposed before the people. The act of the BJP to nominate a rape accused for the bypoll has brought shame to the entire state. It should apologise to the people of Bhanupratappur as well as Chhattisgarh,” he added.

    The state Congress has submitted a similar complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer in Raipur.

    Markam has alleged Jharkhand police had lodged a case at Telco police station in Jamshedpur on May 15, 2019 about a 15-year-old girl being allegedly pushed into the flesh trade and raped by several persons.

    He had alleged the case was lodged under sections 366 A, 376, 376 (3), 376 AB, 129B of the Indian Penal Code, sections 4 and 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

    As per Markam, five persons were held in the case initially, while Netam, a former BJP MLA and a native of Charama town in Kanker, and four others were also named as accused.

    According to the Jharkhand police’s report, Netam had allegedly raped the victim when she was brought to Raipur by other accused, Markam had claimed.

    Rejecting the allegations, Netam had told reporters no such case was registered against him.

    Meanwhile, Raipur district’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prashant Agrawal has suspended constable Keshav Sinha, who was also named as accused in the same case.

    Agrawal told PTI Sinha was placed under suspension after it came to light on Sunday he was an accused in the rape case lodged at Jharkhand’s Telco police station in 2019.

    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Congress on Monday complained to the returning officer (RO) seeking cancellation of the candidature of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Brahmanand Netam for the Bhanupratappur bypoll for allegedly concealing in his election affidavit a rape case registered against him.

    The Congress had, on Sunday, claimed Netam is an accused in a rape case lodged in 2019 in neighbouring Jharkhand and that he had not mentioned its details in his election affidavit.

    Netam had refuted the charges and termed it as the Congress’ conspiracy to malign his image.

    The December 5 bypoll to the Scheduled Tribe-reserved Bhanupratappur seat in Kanker district was necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA and deputy speaker of the Assembly Manoj Singh Mandavi last month.

    On Monday, state Congress chief Mohan Markam reached the office of RO Sumit Agrawal, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Kanker Zila Panchayat, and submitted a complaint seeking cancellation of Netam’s candidature.

    “Netam has concealed the criminal offence registered against him in the election affidavit, which is a violation of the Representation of People Act 1951. Therefore, we have demanded the RO cancel his nomination,” Markam told reporters.

    “The true character of BJP has been exposed before the people. The act of the BJP to nominate a rape accused for the bypoll has brought shame to the entire state. It should apologise to the people of Bhanupratappur as well as Chhattisgarh,” he added.

    The state Congress has submitted a similar complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer in Raipur.

    Markam has alleged Jharkhand police had lodged a case at Telco police station in Jamshedpur on May 15, 2019 about a 15-year-old girl being allegedly pushed into the flesh trade and raped by several persons.

    He had alleged the case was lodged under sections 366 A, 376, 376 (3), 376 AB, 129B of the Indian Penal Code, sections 4 and 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

    As per Markam, five persons were held in the case initially, while Netam, a former BJP MLA and a native of Charama town in Kanker, and four others were also named as accused.

    According to the Jharkhand police’s report, Netam had allegedly raped the victim when she was brought to Raipur by other accused, Markam had claimed.

    Rejecting the allegations, Netam had told reporters no such case was registered against him.

    Meanwhile, Raipur district’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prashant Agrawal has suspended constable Keshav Sinha, who was also named as accused in the same case.

    Agrawal told PTI Sinha was placed under suspension after it came to light on Sunday he was an accused in the rape case lodged at Jharkhand’s Telco police station in 2019.

  • Bhanupratapur bypolls: ‘Agnipariksha’ for BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The opposition BJP in Chhattisgarh will be facing a litmus test in the upcoming Bhanupratapur Assembly by-polls after the party organisation had undertaken major changes in the state leadership.

    The saffron party has begun the exercise of infusing a revamp in the organisation from early August this year when the state tribal president Vishnu Deo Sai was replaced by OBC face with strong RSS background and an MP from Bilaspur Arun Sao. Soon another OBC leader Narayan Chandel took charge as the leader of opposition in place of Dharamlal Kaushik.

    The changes didn’t end here. The state in charge D Purandeshwari, who travelled extensively from Sarguja in the north to Bastar in south to give a fillip to the party’s political fortune, was replaced by the party strategist Om Mathur. The BJP has also brought in its Northeast organisation in-charge secretary Ajay Jamwal on election front in the state. The BJP after short-listing five names has on Tuesday declared Bhramanand Netam as ST reserved seat.

    RAIPUR: The opposition BJP in Chhattisgarh will be facing a litmus test in the upcoming Bhanupratapur Assembly by-polls after the party organisation had undertaken major changes in the state leadership.

    The saffron party has begun the exercise of infusing a revamp in the organisation from early August this year when the state tribal president Vishnu Deo Sai was replaced by OBC face with strong RSS background and an MP from Bilaspur Arun Sao. Soon another OBC leader Narayan Chandel took charge as the leader of opposition in place of Dharamlal Kaushik.

    The changes didn’t end here. The state in charge D Purandeshwari, who travelled extensively from Sarguja in the north to Bastar in south to give a fillip to the party’s political fortune, was replaced by the party strategist Om Mathur. The BJP has also brought in its Northeast organisation in-charge secretary Ajay Jamwal on election front in the state. The BJP after short-listing five names has on Tuesday declared Bhramanand Netam as ST reserved seat.

  • Raipur Diary

    Express News Service

    BJP pins hope on women votersThe BJP Mahila Morcha organised ‘Mahtari Hunker Rally’ in an attempt to boost the prospect of the party against Congress and curry favour with the women, who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters in Chhattisgarh. Senior party leader Smriti Irani visiting the state cited ABC to put across her point…..’A’ for Amethi where she as the BJP Mahtari had won defeating Rahul Gandhi, ‘B’ for Bilaspur where amid the massive show of strength as the BJP roared with a challenge and now it’s the turn of ‘C’ for Chhattisgarh where the BJP will overthrow the Congress rule that allegedly failed to keep its promises. Mahtari means woman or mother.

    Siyan: Support beyond helplineThe need being aired to go beyond helpline ‘Siyan’ (urgent help during emergencies), that Bhupesh Baghel government has launched, by supporting senior citizens besides Divyang (disabled) and third gender with setting up of special police stations for them in every district on the lines of Scheduled Tribe/Schedule Caste. Senior lawyer and former chairman of MP textbook corporation Iqbal Ahmed Rizvi said it can be a value addition to the innovative step taken by the government to offer the much needed relief to such people who often had to struggle seeking justice and fair play. The Constitution of India ensures equality, freedom, justice, dignity of all individuals.

    Litmus test for Congress and BJPAhead of next year’s Assembly polls, the ST Bhanupratapur Assembly (Kanker district) by-poll slated for December 5 will turn out to be a litmus test for the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Besides other claims on achievements by the government, the Congress may seek a possible advantage of sympathy factor. The BJP has geared-up to turn ST reservation as the key poll issue during the campaign in the seat with g predominant tribal population. Now the special session of the House will be held on December 1-2 to discuss and resolve the issue of tribal quota. 

    Ejaz KaiserOur correspondent in [email protected]

    BJP pins hope on women voters
    The BJP Mahila Morcha organised ‘Mahtari Hunker Rally’ in an attempt to boost the prospect of the party against Congress and curry favour with the women, who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters in Chhattisgarh. Senior party leader Smriti Irani visiting the state cited ABC to put across her point…..’A’ for Amethi where she as the BJP Mahtari had won defeating Rahul Gandhi, ‘B’ for Bilaspur where amid the massive show of strength as the BJP roared with a challenge and now it’s the turn of ‘C’ for Chhattisgarh where the BJP will overthrow the Congress rule that allegedly failed to keep its promises. Mahtari means woman or mother.

    Siyan: Support beyond helpline
    The need being aired to go beyond helpline ‘Siyan’ (urgent help during emergencies), that Bhupesh Baghel government has launched, by supporting senior citizens besides Divyang (disabled) and third gender with setting up of special police stations for them in every district on the lines of Scheduled Tribe/Schedule Caste. Senior lawyer and former chairman of MP textbook corporation Iqbal Ahmed Rizvi said it can be a value addition to the innovative step taken by the government to offer the much needed relief to such people who often had to struggle seeking justice and fair play. The Constitution of India ensures equality, freedom, justice, dignity of all individuals.

    Litmus test for Congress and BJP
    Ahead of next year’s Assembly polls, the ST Bhanupratapur Assembly (Kanker district) by-poll slated for December 5 will turn out to be a litmus test for the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Besides other claims on achievements by the government, the Congress may seek a possible advantage of sympathy factor. The BJP has geared-up to turn ST reservation as the key poll issue during the campaign in the seat with g predominant tribal population. Now the special session of the House will be held on December 1-2 to discuss and resolve the issue of tribal quota. 

    Ejaz Kaiser
    Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh
    [email protected]

  • Chhattisgarh dance fest brings together world’s tribals

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR:  Ten countries, 28 states, six union territories, one stage. Tribal performers from various regions around the world are showcasing their culture and heritage at the three-day National Tribal Dance Festival that got off to a colourful start at the Science College ground in Raipur on Tuesday.

    The Chhattisgarh state, carved out of the erstwhile Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000, is also organising a Rajyotsav and Investiture Ceremony on the occasion of its 22nd Foundation Day.The dance festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who also released a postal stamp, envelope and a coffee table book on National Tribal Dance Festival-2021 on the occasion.

    “The history of dance is as old as mankind. There remains a similarity between the various styles of tribal dances and their musical instruments, which were passed from one generation to another. The key objective behind organising the Tribal Mahotsav is to create unity in safeguarding their rights, traditions and culture,” Baghel said while extending his gratitude to the tribal participants who arrived from outside the state. 

    On the first day of the event, which is being organised with an aim to promote cultural exchange, saw tribal dance troupes from 10 countries presenting their skills. The next two days will see participations by around 1,400 tribal artistes who will also get to know the art, customs, rituals, traditions, cuisine and other practices about each other. Troupes from Mozambique, Mongolia, Tongo, Russia, Indonesia, Maldives, Serbia, New Zealand, Egypt and Rwanda are in Raipur for the first time to stage their performances.

    Calling the visit captivating, Sophia, the leader of the Russian troupe that has come from St. Petersburg, said, “It’s heart-warming to be here to present our culture. The dance we performed was a reflection of a powerful art form existing in Russia for centuries.” 

    Among the performers were members of the Mongolian Grand Theatre of National Arts, who staged the Joroon Joroo and Biyelgee dance encapsulating the Mongolian nomadic way of life. Similarly, groups from Egypt and Serbia shared with this newspaper that they were delighted by the hospitality offered to them in the state. “We are here to win the hearts of Indians,” they said.

    At the venue, the experts will also participate in seminars to deliberate upon how tribal development can be effectively secured and promoted further. This year, two themes have been earmarked for the festival ‘Tribal Dances on Harvesting’ and ‘Tribal Traditions and Ritual Occasions’. This is the third such festival organised by the Chhattisgarh government. The state has around 32% tribal population. 

    RAIPUR:  Ten countries, 28 states, six union territories, one stage. Tribal performers from various regions around the world are showcasing their culture and heritage at the three-day National Tribal Dance Festival that got off to a colourful start at the Science College ground in Raipur on Tuesday.

    The Chhattisgarh state, carved out of the erstwhile Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000, is also organising a Rajyotsav and Investiture Ceremony on the occasion of its 22nd Foundation Day.
    The dance festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who also released a postal stamp, envelope and a coffee table book on National Tribal Dance Festival-2021 on the occasion.

    “The history of dance is as old as mankind. There remains a similarity between the various styles of tribal dances and their musical instruments, which were passed from one generation to another. The key objective behind organising the Tribal Mahotsav is to create unity in safeguarding their rights, traditions and culture,” Baghel said while extending his gratitude to the tribal participants who arrived from outside the state. 

    On the first day of the event, which is being organised with an aim to promote cultural exchange, saw tribal dance troupes from 10 countries presenting their skills. The next two days will see participations by around 1,400 tribal artistes who will also get to know the art, customs, rituals, traditions, cuisine and other practices about each other. Troupes from Mozambique, Mongolia, Tongo, Russia, Indonesia, Maldives, Serbia, New Zealand, Egypt and Rwanda are in Raipur for the first time to stage their performances.

    Calling the visit captivating, Sophia, the leader of the Russian troupe that has come from St. Petersburg, said, “It’s heart-warming to be here to present our culture. The dance we performed was a reflection of a powerful art form existing in Russia for centuries.” 

    Among the performers were members of the Mongolian Grand Theatre of National Arts, who staged the Joroon Joroo and Biyelgee dance encapsulating the Mongolian nomadic way of life. Similarly, groups from Egypt and Serbia shared with this newspaper that they were delighted by the hospitality offered to them in the state. “We are here to win the hearts of Indians,” they said.

    At the venue, the experts will also participate in seminars to deliberate upon how tribal development can be effectively secured and promoted further. This year, two themes have been earmarked for the festival ‘Tribal Dances on Harvesting’ and ‘Tribal Traditions and Ritual Occasions’. This is the third such festival organised by the Chhattisgarh government. The state has around 32% tribal population. 

  • Bizarre: Cobra dies of child bite in Chhattisgarh

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: In a bizarre incident, an eight-year-old boy bit a cobra snake to death after it got wrapped around his hand in remote Pandarpadh village in Jashpur district, about 350 km northeast of Raipur. Deepak was bitten by a poisonous cobra while he was playing in the backyard of his house on Monday.

    “The snake got wrapped around my hand and bit me. I was in great pain. As the reptile didn’t budge when I tried to shake it off, I bit it hard twice. It all happened in a flash,” he told the local media.

    His family rushed him to a nearby primary health centre. “He was quickly administered anti-snake venom and kept under observation for the entire day and discharged,” said Dr Jems Minj, block medical officer.“Deepak didn’t show any symptoms and recovered fast owing to the dry bite when the poisonous snake strikes but no venom is released. Such snakebites are painful and may show only local symptoms around the area of bite,” explained Qaiser Hussain, snake expert.

    Such cases are rare. “I have never come across such an incident in Jashpur district,” said Ramesh Sharma, a senior journalist. Jashpur is a tribal district, which is also known as Naglok (abode of serpents) because it has over 200 species of snakes, he said.

    RAIPUR: In a bizarre incident, an eight-year-old boy bit a cobra snake to death after it got wrapped around his hand in remote Pandarpadh village in Jashpur district, about 350 km northeast of Raipur. Deepak was bitten by a poisonous cobra while he was playing in the backyard of his house on Monday.

    “The snake got wrapped around my hand and bit me. I was in great pain. As the reptile didn’t budge when I tried to shake it off, I bit it hard twice. It all happened in a flash,” he told the local media.

    His family rushed him to a nearby primary health centre. “He was quickly administered anti-snake venom and kept under observation for the entire day and discharged,” said Dr Jems Minj, block medical officer.
    “Deepak didn’t show any symptoms and recovered fast owing to the dry bite when the poisonous snake strikes but no venom is released. Such snakebites are painful and may show only local symptoms around the area of bite,” explained Qaiser Hussain, snake expert.

    Such cases are rare. “I have never come across such an incident in Jashpur district,” said Ramesh Sharma, a senior journalist. Jashpur is a tribal district, which is also known as Naglok (abode of serpents) because it has over 200 species of snakes, he said.

  • Maoists abduct, kill journalist’s kin on suspicion of being police informer in Chhattisgarh

    By PTI

    BIJAPUR: Maoists abducted and killed the brother of a journalist on suspicion of being a police informer in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a senior officer said on Wednesday.

    The victim, Basant Jhadi, was abducted by Naxalites on Friday and killed on Monday after they held a ‘jan adalat’ (people’s court or kangaroo court) at village Kotapalli on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, said Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P.

    Jhadi, who was the brother of a local journalist, was killed on suspicion of being a police informer, he said.

    “As per information received so far, the victim’s relatives have performed his last rites, but they are yet to lodge a police complaint,” the IPS officer said.

    Maoists often hold ‘jan adalat’ where persons suspected to be loyal to the state are killed in full public view.

    BIJAPUR: Maoists abducted and killed the brother of a journalist on suspicion of being a police informer in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a senior officer said on Wednesday.

    The victim, Basant Jhadi, was abducted by Naxalites on Friday and killed on Monday after they held a ‘jan adalat’ (people’s court or kangaroo court) at village Kotapalli on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, said Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P.

    Jhadi, who was the brother of a local journalist, was killed on suspicion of being a police informer, he said.

    “As per information received so far, the victim’s relatives have performed his last rites, but they are yet to lodge a police complaint,” the IPS officer said.

    Maoists often hold ‘jan adalat’ where persons suspected to be loyal to the state are killed in full public view.