Boatman fights with crocodile to save life

Ramesh Majhi, a boatman of Srirampur village in the vicinity of Bhitarkanika national park, survived a crocodile attack on Sunday afternoon after he put up a courageous fight with the reptile for a few minutes in the river Kharosotra.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Two hard core Maoists, believed to be area commanders, were killed in an encounter in Budaguda reserve forest during a combing operation by SOG and DVF on Monday, informed Ramendra Prasad, the SDPO of Balliguda.

According to the information, the joint combing operation has been going on in the forest over the last two days following intelligence inputs of Maoist movement. During the combining the ultras fired on the security forces and in the gun battle that ensued the two Maoists Manku and Chandan were killed.

After the incident the combining operation was intensified in the area despite the incessant rain. "We are yet to receive detail report of the incident," said Prasad

Launching a crackdown on illegal immigrants, Odisha police on Monday apprehended around 18 suspected Bangladeshi nationals, residing illegally at different locations of coastal Kendrapara district.

As part of ongoing drive to identify foreign nationals infiltrating into the district, at least 18 individuals were found staying illegally in Rajendranarayanpur, Rangani, Kereragada and Gopalpur villages.