National

Marine Fishers Call for Solutions to Address Overcrowding at Paradip, Odisha’s Largest Sea Fishing Harbour

Published

11 months ago

March 7, 2025

A day after a devastating fire at Paradip Fishing Harbour destroyed 14 mechanised sea-worthy vessels, the Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association (OMFPA) has called for full compensation for the affected fishermen and urged for measures to address the overcrowding at the harbour.

At any given moment, Paradip, the largest sea-fishing harbour in Odisha, accommodates around 650 large boats alongside 400 indigenous vessels. This overcrowding exacerbated the blaze, leading to the explosion of cooking gas cylinders and diesel tanks on board.

Established in 1998, the fishing harbour has become the state’s leading exporter of marine produce, particularly sea fish. Each year, this hub exports approximately 3,500 metric tonnes of high-quality shrimp, mainly to European markets.

“Originally designed to dock 350 boats, the Paradip Fishing Harbour Jetty is now critically overcrowded, with nearly 1,000 mechanised and motorised vessels. Additionally, 15-20 boats seized by the government are taking up valuable space, making navigation and berthing increasingly perilous,” stated the President of OMFPA on Friday.

This overcrowding played a crucial role in the fire’s rapid spread, leaving many vessels trapped without the space to escape. The local government’s failure to expand and modernise the harbour is a significant contributing factor to this disaster, he asserted.

The fishing community in Odisha is already grappling with rising costs, unjust regulations, and insufficient government assistance. The recent fire has further compounded these challenges.

Unlike fishermen in other states who receive fuel subsidies, those in Odisha find themselves neglected by government policies and support. A 20-km fishing restriction aimed at turtle conservation also forces them into deeper and riskier waters, driving up both costs and hazards.

Although the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was intended to modernise fishing practices, many fishermen in Odisha still lack updated boats and equipment.

Highlighting the negative impact of industrial pollution on fish populations and the livelihood of countless fishermen, OMFPA President Srikant Parida urged the government to provide full compensation to the boat owners and crew who lost everything due to this catastrophic fire.

He also called for the expansion of the Paradip Jetty to mitigate overcrowding and emphasized the importance of equipping the harbour with effective firefighting systems, hydrants, and trained personnel to avert future disasters. Furthermore, he insisted that seized vessels be promptly relocated to free up essential space at the harbour.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.