Three youths riding a motorcycle were killed after a speeding truck hit their bike near Junapara in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district on Saturday morning. The impact was severe, and the truck reportedly dragged the motorcycle for around 30 feet before fleeing the spot.

The accident took place near the Junapara police outpost under Takhatpur police station limits. The identities of the three deceased youths have not yet been established. Police reached the spot after receiving information about the accident and sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.

According to eyewitnesses, all three youths were travelling on the same motorcycle when the truck approaching from the opposite direction collided with them near Junapara. The collision caused the motorcycle to be dragged along the road for some distance. The three riders sustained critical injuries and died at the spot.

Accident Causes Traffic Disruption

Following the collision, local residents and commuters gathered at the accident site. Traffic movement was temporarily affected as people stopped to assess the situation and inform the authorities.

Personnel from the Junapara police outpost reached the location and cleared the area. Police subsequently worked to restore traffic movement on the affected stretch.

Identities of Victims Yet to Be Confirmed

Police took the bodies into custody and completed the preliminary formalities before sending them to the mortuary for post-mortem examination.

Officials said the victims did not have documents immediately available that could establish their identities. Police are contacting nearby villages and making efforts to identify the deceased and trace their families.

CCTV Footage Being Examined

The truck driver fled the location after the accident, and the vehicle has not yet been traced. Police have registered a case against the unidentified driver and started an investigation.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the accident-prone stretch and nearby locations to identify the truck and determine its route after the collision. Police are also checking footage from major roads and nearby establishments.

Search for Truck Driver Underway

The police have launched a search operation to locate the truck and its driver. Officials said information gathered from CCTV cameras and other evidence will be used to establish the identity of the vehicle and driver.

Further details, including the identities of the deceased and the circumstances leading to the collision, are expected as the investigation progresses.

Students in several parts of Chhattisgarh have taken to the streets over problems ranging from teacher shortages and poor-quality hostel food to allegations of corporal punishment and the absence of school principals. In several cases, students were joined by their parents, while some protests involved road blockades and sit-ins on major routes.

Over the past month, students have staged protests in different districts, demanding action from education officials and the removal of teachers, principals and hostel wardens. In some cases, authorities initiated inquiries or took action after complaints were raised. Here are seven recent cases that highlight the concerns being raised by students and their families.

In Durg district, students of the Swami Atmanand School in Pendrawan village blocked the Khairagarh-Dhamdha main road on August 21, protesting against a shortage of teachers. Students from Classes 9 to 12 said only five teachers were available, with subject-wise teaching affected because of the shortage. The students said the lack of adequate teachers was making it difficult to complete the syllabus and affecting their studies.

A similar protest took place in Korba, where students of the Eklavya Residential School in Chhuri have protested twice over their grievances. On August 13, students sat on the Korba-Katghora main road near Chhuri panchayat, causing traffic disruption. They demanded the removal of principal Dr Arshad Ahmed Ali and the hostel superintendent. Students alleged that their complaints were not handled properly and also raised concerns over the quality of food and basic facilities in the hostel.

In Dhamtari district, students and parents protested against teacher shortages at the government higher secondary school in Barna village on August 17. Students locked the school gate and staged a protest for around five hours despite the rain. The school reportedly has 175 students from Classes 9 to 12 but only five teachers. Protesters raised slogans against education officials and demanded action to address the shortage.

Another protest was reported from Balpur village in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district on August 19. Local residents protested over poor road conditions and locked the gate of the Swami Atmanand School. Students who arrived at the school were unable to enter and subsequently joined the protest outside the gate. Following a complaint by the Block Education Officer, police registered an FIR against the village deputy sarpanch under Sections 126(2), 221 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In Durg's Patora village, students and parents had earlier protested against the headmistress of a government middle school over an allegation of corporal punishment. The complaint alleged that a student was beaten with a thorny stick, resulting in an injury to his hand. Parents and students approached the District Education Officer's office, demanding the suspension of headmistress Mamta Shandilya. Officials said the matter would be investigated, although no action had been reported at the time of the source report.

In Korba district, schoolgirls staged a road blockade on the Katghora-Ambikapur National Highway on August 6, demanding the removal of the warden of a Kasturba Gandhi Girls Hostel in the Bango police station area. The students alleged that the superintendent, Sharda Netam, forced them to massage her hands and feet, conducted prayers late at night and provided poor-quality or undercooked food. Following an inquiry, the education department removed the warden from her post.

Students at the Eklavya Model Residential School in Dharamjaigarh, Raigarh district, also boycotted classes on August 6 over alleged administrative and hostel-related problems. Students claimed that the principal did not regularly attend the school and questioned the quality of food served in the hostel. They staged a protest on the school premises, demanding improvements in the institution's functioning.

The protests come amid a broader discussion in Uttar Pradesh about how authorities should respond when schoolchildren take to the streets. The Uttar Pradesh government is reportedly preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that students' grievances are heard and resolved while protecting children's rights during protests. The proposed approach also emphasises avoiding the use of force against protesting students.

The recent incidents in Chhattisgarh underline recurring concerns around teacher availability, school administration, hostel facilities, food quality and student safety. While investigations and administrative action have followed some complaints, the protests show that students and parents are increasingly using public demonstrations to draw attention to problems inside schools and residential institutions.

Raipur Police have arrested seven alleged members of a fraud syndicate accused of cheating people by promising to double their money and convert bundles of black paper into genuine currency using chemicals. The arrests were made at a resort in Pune during an investigation into a ₹1.13 crore cheating case involving a businessman from Balod, Chhattisgarh.

According to police, two women were arrested earlier in connection with the Balod case. Their interrogation reportedly provided digital leads, including mobile chats, contact numbers and social media accounts, which helped investigators trace the alleged masterminds to Pune. Police then kept the suspects under surveillance for nearly a week before raiding a resort in Khandala. The accused were allegedly attempting to convince another person from Varanasi to hand over money as part of the same fraud.

Police identified the arrested suspects as Gyan Prakash Srivastava alias Yogi, Praveen Kumar Srivastava alias Captain, Shetty and Reddy, Manoj Kumar Srivastava alias Bade Sir, Vivek Singh, Shubham Pandey, Yogendra Chauhan and Balmukund Dixit. The investigation has also indicated that the alleged syndicate had been operating since around 2005 and may have targeted more than 100 people across different cities. Police said some members of the network are still absconding.

The alleged fraud was based on what is commonly known as a “wash-wash” or black currency scam. Investigators said the suspects used black paper cut to the size of currency notes along with chemicals and staged demonstrations to convince potential victims that blackened notes could be converted into genuine currency. In some cases, genuine currency was reportedly used during demonstrations to establish credibility.

The suspects allegedly approached prospective victims at clubs, parties, yoga centres and high-profile gatherings, where they built contacts with financially well-off people. They reportedly presented themselves as members of influential business networks and claimed links with the Reserve Bank of India, senior officials and other powerful individuals. Police said the accused also used photographs with politicians and film personalities and sometimes appeared with private security personnel to create an impression of influence.

Meetings were allegedly arranged at expensive hotels, villas and resorts in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Rajasthan and Gujarat. During these meetings, victims were reportedly promised access to foreign investment, influential contacts or schemes that could multiply their money. Once trust was established, the accused allegedly demanded money in instalments under different pretexts, including chemicals, testing, security clearances and fund-release procedures.

Police said the gang had a specific method for gaining the confidence of victims. In the initial stage, victims were allegedly given genuine currency and shown a demonstration involving chemical treatment. After the victim became convinced, the accused would allegedly replace genuine notes with bundles of black paper made to resemble currency. The victim was then persuaded to invest a much larger amount, after which the suspects would disappear or demand additional money.

More than ₹4 crore in cash, 17 mobile phones, black paper cut into currency-note sizes, glass plates and other materials were reportedly seized during the investigation. Police said the accused have admitted to similar offences in Chhattisgarh, Noida, Pune, Vadodara, Udaipur and Delhi. Praveen Kumar Srivastava and Manoj Kumar Srivastava have also reportedly faced previous cheating cases in Mumbai and Varanasi.

The investigation has revealed another unusual aspect of the alleged operation. Police said some of the accused had themselves fallen victim to a similar scam before 2005. After losing money, they allegedly learned the method and subsequently built their own network to target others.

The case came to light after Balod businessman Umesh Kumar Sinha allegedly lost ₹1.13 crore after being promised ₹45 crore in investment for expansion of his company. The investigation into that complaint eventually led police to the wider alleged syndicate. Further investigation is underway to identify additional victims, trace the money trail and locate other suspects.

Three labourers were killed and seven others were seriously injured after a pickup vehicle carrying workers collided with a bauxite-laden truck in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur district early Saturday. The accident took place at around 2 am near Sewari on the Rajpur-Kusmi road under Rajpur police station limits. The workers, all residents of Narola village in Surajpur district, were travelling to Shankargarh for tomato cultivation work when the pickup reportedly crashed into the truck.

According to the information provided by police, all 10 workers travelling in the pickup were injured in the collision. The impact severely damaged the vehicle. A police team reached the spot after receiving information about the accident and shifted the injured to the Rajpur Community Health Centre with the help of ambulances. Three workers — Ran Sai (34), Uday Kumar (25) and Amar Sai (35) — were declared dead at the hospital. The remaining seven, identified as Dev Kumar (34), Bhanu (32), Amar Sai (40), Laxman (30), Ajay Kumar (40), Rai Singh (38) and Pradeep (34), were referred to Ambikapur Medical College for further treatment. Police said several of the injured suffered serious or internal injuries, while at least four were reported to be in critical condition.

The collision also disrupted traffic on the Rajpur-Kusmi road, with a temporary jam forming after the accident. Police removed the damaged vehicles from the road and restored traffic movement. Rajpur police station in-charge Bhardwaj Singh said the workers' families had been informed and relatives of the deceased reached Rajpur in the morning. A preliminary account has attributed the crash to the pickup's high speed, although the circumstances surrounding the collision will be examined as part of the police proceedings. The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the transportation of labourers in goods vehicles. Although carrying passengers in such vehicles is restricted, workers travelling for agricultural activities are often transported in pickups and other goods carriers, increasing the risk of serious accidents.

The Balrampur accident also comes about a month after another fatal incident involving a labourer-filled pickup in the Shankargarh area. In that accident, three women died after the vehicle overturned while they were returning after working in agricultural fields. The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the safety of workers travelling in goods vehicles, particularly during the agricultural season when groups of labourers frequently travel between villages and farming locations.

A 54-year-old woman and her 23-year-old son died of electrocution in Raipur after an electrical current allegedly travelled from a window cooler to a GI pipe installed on a balcony. The incident occurred in the Tikrapara police station area on Friday afternoon when the woman went to collect clothes that had been left to dry. As she touched the metal pipe, she received a severe electric shock and became stuck to it. Her son rushed to help her but was also electrocuted while attempting to pull her away. Both died at the spot, according to the information provided.

The deceased have been identified as Kalyani Yadav, 54, and her son Madhusudan Yadav, 23, residents of Kura village in the Dharsiwa area. Kalyani had travelled to Raipur with her son to visit her daughter, who lives in a rented house in Chhattisgarh Nagar and is studying nursing. The family is involved in farming. On Friday, Kalyani went to the balcony to collect clothes. When she touched the GI pipe, she reportedly received a powerful electric shock. Madhusudan immediately moved towards her after seeing her in contact with the pipe, but he too came into contact with the live electrical current while trying to rescue her.

How Current Reached Pipe

Tikrapara Police reached the house after receiving information about the incident and inspected the spot. The bodies were subjected to panchnama proceedings and sent for post-mortem examination. Police have registered a marg and started an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths. A preliminary assessment indicates that a window cooler had been installed near the balcony, with a GI pipe positioned between the cooler and the railing. The pipe was being used to hang clothes. Police suspect that an electrical fault in the cooler caused current to travel through the GI pipe and subsequently reach the balcony railing, creating a dangerous live surface.

The incident also highlights the danger of electrical leakage from household appliances, particularly when metal pipes, railings or other conductive structures are connected to or placed close to electrical equipment. The exact cause of the electrical fault and whether there was any wiring or insulation failure will be established during the police investigation. Authorities are also expected to examine the electrical installation at the rented premises as part of the inquiry. The deaths of the mother and son occurred within moments of each other, after the son's attempt to rescue his mother inadvertently exposed him to the same electrical current.

The controversy surrounding the 2003 Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment examinationhas resurfaced after more than two decades, with the selection of 147 officers once again under scrutiny.

The recruitment, conducted during the Jogi government, included appointments to important positions such as Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Allegations of irregularities in evaluation and the allocation of marks had emerged during the recruitment process.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is now preparing to take the investigation to the next stage and is expected to file a chargesheet in court. More than 15 administrative officers are reportedly under the scanner in connection with the case.

Questions Over Evaluation

The allegations primarily concern the evaluation of answer sheets and the marks awarded to candidates.

According to documents cited in the case, one candidate allegedly wrote only a single page in an answer and still received 55 marks out of 60. In contrast, some candidates who completed their answer sheets reportedly received only 10 to 15 marks.

The wide variation in marks raised questions about the fairness of the evaluation process and whether certain candidates received an undue advantage.

RTI Brought Details To Light

The controversy gained momentum after candidates, including Ravindra Singh and Varsha Dongre, obtained examination and evaluation-related information through the Right to Information (RTI) process.

Petitions were subsequently filed before the High Court in 2005. Following notices from the court, the PSC was reportedly accused of acknowledging irregularities in the selection process.

The matter continued through the legal system for several years.

High Court Ordered Re-Scaling

In 2016, the Bilaspur High Court ruled in favour of the petitioners and ordered the re-scaling of marks across the optional subjects in the 2003 PSC mains examination.

The court also ordered the re-evaluation of answer sheets in Anthropology and directed authorities to prepare a revised merit list based on the corrected results.

The order potentially affected the appointments of 147 candidates who had already been selected through the examination.

147 Officers Approached Supreme Court

Several officers, including then-Deputy Collector Padmini Bhoi and Sanjay Chandan Tripathi, challenged the High Court's decision before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of the High Court's re-scaling order for the time being. The matter remains pending before the apex court.

The latest EOW investigation and the possibility of a chargesheet have therefore brought renewed attention to the recruitment conducted 23 years ago.

What Is Scaling?

Scaling is a method used to bring marks obtained in different examination papers onto a comparable scale.

When candidates take different optional subjects with varying levels of difficulty, scaling is intended to account for differences in difficulty and help create a common basis for preparing the merit list.

In the CGPSC case, allegations have been raised that manipulation of the scaling process benefited certain candidates and consequently affected their position in the merit list.

Case Still Has Legal Implications

The 2003 recruitment controversy has remained entangled in legal proceedings for years. The High Court's order had the potential to alter the selection outcome, while the Supreme Court's interim protection has kept the matter pending.

With the EOW now moving towards the next stage of its investigation, questions surrounding the evaluation of answer sheets, scaling of marks and the eventual selection of the 147 officers are again in focus.

The outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings and the EOW investigation could determine whether further action is taken in connection with the alleged irregularities.

A 25-year-old garage mechanic died after reportedly drowning while he had gone fishing in the Gondli reservoir’s submerged area in Chhattisgarh’s Balod district on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as Monu Dewangan, a resident of Bhainsbod village and son of Ramniwas Dewangan. His body was later found floating in the water, following which local residents informed the police.

According to the preliminary information, Monu went to the submerged area of Gondli reservoir at around 10.30 am on Tuesday to catch fish. What happened after that is still being pieced together. Police said he apparently entered or moved into deeper water and drowned. Local people later noticed a body floating upside down in the reservoir and alerted the authorities. Balod police reached the spot after receiving the information and began checking the circumstances surrounding the death.

The police also recovered the deceased’s power axle vehicle from the spot. Initial investigation points towards drowning, but officials have not ruled anything else out until the post-mortem examination is completed. There were no apparent injury marks on the body during the initial inspection, police said. A forensic team was also called to the location as part of the investigation.

Balod SDOP Vinay Kumar Sahu said the family had informed police that Monu had a history of epilepsy. This information is now also being considered while examining how the incident occurred. It is not yet clear whether he suffered any health-related episode before falling into the water or whether he lost his balance while fishing. Police are waiting for the medical examination and post-mortem findings before reaching a final conclusion.

The incident has left the family and people in the village shaken. Monu worked as a garage mechanic and had gone to the reservoir during the morning hours. The area is used by local people for fishing and other activities, but the deeper sections of the reservoir can become dangerous, particularly when a person is alone.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and started further investigation. Officials are expected to speak with local residents who may have seen Monu near the reservoir before he disappeared. The exact sequence of events will become clearer after these statements are recorded and the post-mortem report is received.

For now, drowning remains the preliminary cause of death. However, investigators are treating the matter carefully because the circumstances immediately before Monu entered the water are not completely clear. The recovered vehicle, statements from witnesses and the forensic and medical findings will form part of the investigation.

The incident also highlights the risks involved in entering deep or unfamiliar sections of reservoirs for fishing, especially without another person nearby. In this case, local residents were the first to notice the body and inform the police. The investigation is continuing, while the family awaits the final medical findings.

The Chhattisgarh government has carried out a major administrative reshuffle, transferring 22 IAS officers and one IFS officer and changing the collectors of six districts. The orders issued on August 18 have also brought changes in the Urban Administration and Development Department, while several officers have been moved between field and secretariat assignments. One of the notable changes is the return of IFS officer Vivek Acharya to the Forest Department after he was removed from his responsibility at the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board.

The biggest change has been made in the Urban Administration and Development Department. IAS officer Sonmani Bora, a 1999-batch officer, has been appointed Principal Secretary of the department. He will also hold additional charge of the Science and Technology Department. Bora was earlier serving as Principal Secretary in the Tribal Development Department. The Urban Administration Department handles several important areas linked to cities, urban local bodies and development programmes, making the new posting a significant one.

R Sangeeta, a 2005-batch IAS officer who was serving as Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department, has been moved out of the department and posted as Secretary, Ministry. The changes have also affected district-level administration. Gariyaband Collector Bhagwan Singh Uikey has been appointed Joint Secretary in the General Administration Department, while Kabirdham Collector Gopal Verma has been given charge as Joint Secretary in the Forest and Climate Change Department.

Ranbir Sharma, a 2012-batch IAS officer, has been shifted from the post of Director, Social Welfare and appointed Collector of Gariyaband. The posting brings him back into field administration at the district level. Meanwhile, Kanker Collector Nileshkumar Mahadev Kshirsagar has been appointed Director of the Urban Administration and Development Department.

The post previously held by Kshirsagar has also seen a change. Rimijiyus Ekka, who was serving as Director of Urban Administration, has been appointed Special Secretary in the Public Health Engineering Department. He will also hold additional charge as Mission Director of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Another change that has drawn attention is that of IFS officer Vivek Acharya. Acharya, a 2006-batch officer, was serving as Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board. His services have now been returned to his parent Forest Department with immediate effect. The move comes around three months after his earlier transfer from the Culture Department to the Tourism Board.

Acharya had served as Director of the Culture Department since 2020 and had spent several years handling responsibilities linked to culture and tourism. His posting was changed twice within a period of around three months, and he is now out of both the Culture and Tourism departments. The latest order has brought him back to his original department.

The wider reshuffle includes changes involving senior officers as well as district administration. With six collectors being replaced, the government has made a number of field-level changes at a time when district administrations are handling monsoon-related issues, development programmes and implementation of government schemes.

The new appointments will take effect according to the terms of the government order. The reshuffle is expected to bring changes in the functioning of several departments and districts as the transferred officers take charge of their respective assignments.

A 16-year-old girl in Raipur has alleged that she was sexually abused by her father for nearly three years, became pregnant twice and was forced to undergo an abortion during the first pregnancy. Police have arrested six people in connection with the case, including the girl’s father and aunt. Investigators are also looking into allegations that forged documents were prepared to show the minor as an adult and married before she was admitted to a hospital, where she later gave birth to a baby boy. The newborn was allegedly sold to another person, according to the complaint and police investigation.

The case was registered at New Rajendra Nagar police station. The girl told police that the alleged abuse began in 2023 when she was at a relative’s house in the Amlidih area. According to her complaint, her father allegedly forced her to consume alcohol, assaulted her and sexually assaulted her. She further alleged that he threatened her with serious consequences if she told anyone about the incident.

The alleged abuse continued, and the girl became pregnant. When she informed her aunt, the aunt allegedly supported the father and assaulted the girl before giving her medicines to terminate the pregnancy. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged abortion and the role of the people who were allegedly involved.

The girl later became pregnant again in 2025, according to police. This time, investigators allege that steps were taken to conceal her actual age. The accused father allegedly took her to Dr Varsha Mandal and her acquaintance Geeta Rai. Police are investigating allegations that a fake Aadhaar card was prepared to show the girl as an adult and that she was presented as a married woman before being admitted to Vasudev Hospital in Danganiya.

She subsequently gave birth to a baby boy at the hospital. Police are now examining what happened after the delivery, including the allegation that the newborn was handed over or sold to another person. Investigators are checking hospital records, documents and the identities of people allegedly connected with the admission and subsequent handling of the child.

The case involves several serious allegations, and police have registered offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officers are also examining the alleged preparation of false documents and the circumstances surrounding the child’s birth and disappearance from the hospital-related process.

Following the complaint, a police team acted under the direction of senior officers and arrested six accused persons. Those arrested include the girl’s father and aunt, along with Rohit Rai, Saheb Mandal, Yogita Rai alias Geeta and Barkha Verma alias Varsha Mandal, according to police. Investigators are continuing to question the accused and verify the sequence of events described by the survivor.

The allegations are extremely serious, but the charges against the accused will be tested through the legal process. Police are also investigating the newborn-related allegation separately as part of the wider case. Further details are expected as investigators examine documents, hospital records and other evidence.

The Kanhar River has risen sharply in Balrampur-Ramanujganj district as heavy rain continues in parts of Chhattisgarh, raising concerns of flooding in low-lying areas. Water has reached the CC road in Ward No. 9 of Ramanujganj town after what has been described as the biggest flood-like situation in the area this season. The local administration and municipal authorities have increased vigilance as the river continues to flow strongly.

Rain activity is expected to continue across Chhattisgarh over the next two days. The weather department has forecast light to moderate rain at several places on Wednesday, with heavy showers possible in some areas. Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely at isolated locations. The weather remains active because of a depression over Jharkhand and adjoining northern West Bengal, which is moving west-northwest and influencing rainfall over the region.

The system is expected to move further through Jharkhand and Bihar during the next 24 hours and gradually weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area. Its movement, along with an active monsoon trough, is contributing to the current rainfall pattern in Chhattisgarh. An upper-air cyclonic circulation is also present over eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas, adding to the weather activity.

In Balrampur, the heavy rain has pushed the Kanhar River close to residential and road areas. Water reaching the CC road in Ward 9 has increased concern among residents living in lower-lying parts of Ramanujganj. Officials and municipal teams are keeping watch on the situation, particularly as further rain could cause the river level to rise again. The exact extent of flooding will depend on rainfall in the river’s catchment areas and the movement of the weather system.

Raipur has also been seeing frequent rain for the past three days. The capital has remained under cloudy conditions, with intermittent showers continuing. On Wednesday, another spell of rain or thunderstorm activity was possible in the city. The maximum temperature was expected to remain around 30 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could stay near 24 degrees.

Across the state, temperatures have remained relatively moderate because of the persistent cloud cover and rainfall. Bilaspur recorded the highest maximum temperature of around 28 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while Durg recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 21.6 degrees Celsius. The state-wide maximum temperature was around 26 degrees, with the minimum close to 23 degrees.

The weather department has advised caution in areas that receive intense rainfall, particularly where water levels in rivers and streams are already rising. Lightning is another concern during thunderstorms, and people are advised to avoid exposed areas during such spells. In Balrampur-Ramanujganj, the immediate focus remains on monitoring the Kanhar River and keeping residents in vulnerable areas informed.

The rain is expected to continue for at least the next two days, although its intensity may vary from one district to another. For now, the situation in Ramanujganj remains under watch as authorities assess the river level and the possibility of further water entering low-lying areas.

Drinking water facilities at railway stations under the South East Central Railway (SECR) zone have come under scrutiny after a CAG assessment found significant deficiencies in water quality and other passenger amenities. The Comptroller and Auditor General examined selected facilities at 512 stations across 16 railway zones. In the assessment of drinking water arrangements, SECR recorded a deficiency score of 93.35, the highest among the zones covered, indicating more shortcomings against the prescribed standards.

The report found that water samples at some railway stations contained E. coli and total coliform bacteria. The presence of E. coli can indicate contamination from faecal matter or sewage and raises concerns about the safety of drinking water supplied to passengers. The assessment also looked at chlorine levels and other aspects of the water supply system. At some locations, chlorine levels were reportedly found to be either below or above the prescribed limits.

The findings are important for passengers using stations across the Bilaspur railway zone, particularly because drinking water is one of the basic facilities expected to be available at railway stations. Contaminated water can increase the risk of water-borne illnesses, including diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal infections. What exactly caused the contamination at individual stations would depend on the local water source, storage and distribution arrangements, and the report’s findings point to the need for closer monitoring.

CAG prepared deficiency scores to compare the condition of passenger facilities across the 16 railway zones. A lower score indicates fewer deficiencies, while a higher score reflects greater gaps against the prescribed standards. South Central Railway recorded the lowest deficiency score for drinking water at 17.53, while SECR’s score of 93.35 placed it at the bottom of this particular assessment.

The overall picture, however, was not negative for SECR. The zone performed relatively well in facilities for passengers with disabilities and ranked second among the 16 zones in that category. Its deficiency score for facilities for persons with disabilities was 20.97. The assessment therefore showed a mixed picture, with some passenger facilities performing better while drinking water and other basic amenities remained areas of concern.

The CAG assessment covered selected stations and examined drinking water availability, quality and related arrangements along with minimum passenger facilities. The exercise was aimed at checking whether the facilities being provided at railway stations matched the prescribed standards. The findings have put renewed focus on the condition of basic passenger services at stations in the Bilaspur zone.

Following the report, railway authorities have said that steps are being planned to improve the drinking water arrangements. SECR Chief Public Relations Officer Sheikh Sami Ur Rahman said the Railway Minister was reviewing the CAG findings and that an action plan was being prepared for improving water facilities at stations in the Bilaspur zone.

The proposed measures include installing additional water coolers and tank-to-tap water filtration systems. Authorities have also indicated that cleaning and maintenance of water tanks will be carried out regularly, along with continued testing of water quality. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on how consistently they are implemented across stations.

For passengers, the immediate concern remains access to safe drinking water. The CAG findings have highlighted gaps that railway authorities will now have to address, particularly at stations where water quality did not meet the required standards.

Chhattisgarh celebrated its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, August 15, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hoisting the national flag at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur. The state-level ceremony featured a march past by 17 platoons, including contingents from central armed forces, Chhattisgarh Police and other security organisations.

This year's parade included personnel from the BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB, along with a contingent of Bihar Police. Chhattisgarh Police's male and female contingents, jail police, Nagar Sena, NCC cadets and mounted police also participated.

The dog squad and mounted contingent were among the major attractions of the ceremony.

17 Platoons Join March Past

The parade featured contingents representing various security and police forces.

The participating groups included the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Bihar Police, Chhattisgarh Armed Force male and female contingents and Chhattisgarh Police personnel.

Jail Police, male and female Nagar Sena contingents, NCC boys' and girls' groups, the mounted contingent, dog squad and police band also formed part of the programme.

The parade was commanded by IPS officer Vimal Kumar Pathak, with Nishant Kumar Kurre serving as the second-in-command.

Dog Squad, Horse Show Draw Attention

The trained police dogs demonstrated their specialised skills during the Independence Day programme.

The mounted contingent also participated in the ceremony, adding to the visual display during the march past. A horse show and dog show were scheduled as part of the programme following the main parade.

School students also presented cultural performances after the formal ceremony.

Possible Announcement on Commissionerate System

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai's address was closely watched for a possible announcement concerning the police commissionerate system in Raipur.

There was speculation that the government could announce an expansion of the Raipur commissionerate's jurisdiction to cover the entire district. There was also discussion about potentially introducing the commissionerate system in Durg or Bilaspur.

However, these developments had not been officially confirmed at the time of the report.

The police commissionerate system has been operational in Raipur since January 23, 2026.

Preparations Started in July

Preparations for the Independence Day parade began on July 29, with participating personnel and contingents conducting regular rehearsals.

A final full-dress rehearsal was held on Thursday, replicating the main ceremony planned for August 15. The march past, flag-hoisting procedures, band performance and other activities were rehearsed in detail.

The mounted contingent also conducted practice sessions ahead of the main event.

Officials Inspect Arrangements

Senior police and administrative officials reviewed preparations at the Police Parade Ground ahead of the ceremony.

Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, ADG Vivekanand Sinha, Police Commissioner Sanjeev Shukla and Raipur Collector Dr Gaurav Singh inspected the venue.

Officials reviewed security arrangements, the parade route, stage preparations, traffic management and other logistical arrangements and issued necessary instructions.

During the full-dress rehearsal, Chief Minister's security officer Harish Tiwari attended as the chief guest, hoisted the national flag and took the salute of the parade.

Bihar Police Joins Parade

The participation of Bihar Police was one of the notable features of this year's Raipur ceremony.

The central forces and state security contingents marched together as part of the 17-platoon formation, highlighting the participation of different security organisations in the state-level Independence Day programme.

A women's bagpiper band also performed during the marching presentation under the leadership of constable Sonbati Thakur.

Tight Security in Raipur

Police deployed additional personnel around the Police Parade Ground and surrounding areas to ensure security during the main Independence Day ceremony.

Arrangements were made to regulate movement and manage crowds, while security teams monitored the venue and access points.

Following the flag hoisting and march past, the programme included the Chief Minister's address, medal ceremony, dog show, horse show and cultural performances by school students.

The Raipur ceremony was the centrepiece of Chhattisgarh's Independence Day celebrations, with the participation of police forces, central armed forces, NCC cadets and other contingents.