Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has hit back at Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai over his criticism of the Congress and said the BJP was following a “divide and rule” approach that it had learnt from the British. Baghel made the remarks in Durg during a three-day Congress organisational training camp.

The exchange followed Sai’s comments on Baghel being removed as Congress in-charge of Punjab. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister had accused the Congress of adopting a strategy similar to that of the British by encouraging internal divisions. He also said factionalism had become evident in Punjab during Baghel’s tenure as the state in-charge.

Responding to Sai, Baghel described BJP leaders as “black British” and alleged that the party was using social divisions for political gain. He claimed that attempts were being made to divide people along religious lines and also within tribal communities by creating distinctions based on identity.

Baghel questions changes in BJP appointments

Baghel also responded to criticism over changes in Congress organisational responsibilities. Questioning whether the BJP itself never changes its in-charges, he took a swipe at the party’s leadership appointments and referred to different kinds of leaders who, according to him, had held organisational responsibilities over time.

He argued that the BJP should look at changes within its own organisation before questioning Congress appointments. His remarks came amid the ongoing Congress training programme in Durg, where party leaders and workers are being briefed on organisational and political issues.

Sai says Congress follows ‘divide and rule’

Sai had earlier linked Baghel’s removal from the Punjab charge to alleged factionalism within the Congress. According to Sai, the Congress follows a policy resembling the British strategy of “divide and rule” and its leaders create factions wherever they go.

Referring to the Punjab episode, Sai said Baghel had faced opposition there, including “go back” slogans, and suggested that this contributed to the decision to remove him from the state responsibility.

The remarks have now triggered a fresh political exchange between the BJP and Congress in Chhattisgarh.

Deepak Baij also targets BJP

Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Deepak Baij separately attacked the BJP during the organisational programme. Baij alleged that the BJP had ideological links with Nathuram Godse and accused the party of having sought forgiveness from the British during the freedom struggle.

Baij argued that while the British used “divide and rule”, the Congress claimed to represent a politics of bringing people together. His remarks added another layer to the ongoing Congress-BJP confrontation in the state.

Baghel raises Jhiram Valley attack issue

During his interaction with the media, Baghel also raised questions about the investigation into the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre in Bastar. He alleged that the incident involved a conspiracy and questioned why the people allegedly responsible for it had not been fully identified.

Baghel also questioned whether any police or administrative officer had been punished for the security lapses surrounding the attack. He referred to former Chief Minister Raman Singh’s earlier acknowledgment of security lapses and questioned the progress of the investigation.

He further raised questions about the names included in the FIR and the subsequent investigation, alleging that the scope of the accused was reduced during the process. These remain political allegations and are subject to the findings and records of the relevant investigations and courts.

Political battle intensifies in Chhattisgarh

The latest statements come as the BJP and Congress continue to trade allegations over organisational affairs, governance and past security incidents in Chhattisgarh. Baghel’s remarks on the BJP’s organisational changes and Sai’s criticism of the Congress’s internal functioning have added a fresh political dimension to the dispute.

The Jhiram Valley issue, meanwhile, remains politically sensitive in the state, with the Congress continuing to raise questions over the circumstances surrounding the attack and the BJP pointing to the judicial proceedings in the case.

A special NIA court in Jagdalpur recently convicted 10 accused in the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre case. The sentencing of the convicted accused is scheduled to be taken up on September 16, according to the information cited in the supplied report.

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.

Authorities in Chhattisgarh rescued 16 children, including seven minors, from a bus at the Durg bus stand after receiving inputs about suspected child labour and possible human trafficking. The children, all from Kabirdham district, were allegedly being transported for work after being lured with promises of employment.

The rescue operation was carried out jointly by the Child Helpline (1098), the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), the Padmanabhpur police, and officials from the Women and Child Development Department following an alert from the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Joint Rescue Operation

According to Child Helpline District Project Coordinator Chandraprakash Patel, authorities received information on Wednesday evening that more than 10 children were travelling on a bus and were allegedly being taken for employment.

The joint team reached the Durg bus stand and intercepted the bus around 8.30 pm. During verification, officials found 16 children on board. All were safely escorted to the Child Helpline office for identity verification, counselling and questioning.

Children Lured with Job Offers

During preliminary questioning, several children said they had initially been told they would be taken to Raipur for work but were instead brought to Durg without being informed of their final destination.

Some children also claimed they had been promised jobs in Uttar Pradesh with a monthly salary of ₹15,000. Others stated they were told they would be employed at a mushroom factory. Officials are yet to ascertain where they were ultimately being taken.

Authorities said the children had been travelling without proper clarity about their destination or employment arrangements.

Seven Found to be Minors

Verification revealed that seven of the 16 rescued children were minors, while the remaining nine were adults. Some children carried Aadhaar cards, while others disclosed their ages verbally during questioning.

All of them are residents of different villages in Kabirdham district.

The rescued minors have been shifted to a government shelter home, while officials continue to verify the identities and circumstances of all those rescued.

Children Were Hungry and Exhausted

Officials said the children had reportedly remained without food or water since morning. After the rescue, they were provided meals and medical attention before being taken to the Child Helpline facility.

Individual counselling sessions and detailed statements will now be recorded to determine whether the children were being trafficked, recruited for child labour, or misled by employment agents.

One Person Detained

District Women and Child Development Officer Ajay Kumar Sahu said a man who arrived at the Durg bus stand to receive the children was detained for questioning.

Police suspect he may have been acting as a contractor or recruiter. His role, along with the involvement of other individuals connected to the transportation of the children, is currently under investigation.

Authorities are also examining who organised the journey, who financed it, and whether an organised child trafficking or illegal labour network is involved.

Minors to Be Produced Before CWC

Officials said all seven rescued minors will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which will decide the next course of action regarding their care, rehabilitation and repatriation.

Police and child protection authorities have stated that if evidence of child trafficking or illegal child labour emerges during the investigation, strict legal action will be initiated against all those involved.

A local Congress leader was allegedly stabbed to death during a suspected robbery attempt in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, prompting protests by party workers and a large-scale police investigation. The incident took place in the Jevra Sirsa police outpost area when the victim was returning home late at night after visiting a relative in a hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Prakash Singh Kashyap (45), a resident of Tumakala village, who served as the treasurer of the Dhamdha Mandal Congress Committee. He was also an elected village panch, while his wife currently serves as the village sarpanch.

Attack During Late-Night Journey

According to police, Kashyap was travelling on a motorcycle with two companions after leaving Shankaracharya Hospital in Bhilai, where they had gone to meet a relative. The group was reportedly returning home at around 2 amwhen they were intercepted by four motorcycle-borne assailants between Karhidih and Chikhli Chowk.

Investigators suspect the attackers intended to rob the group. Police said the assailants allegedly attempted to snatch Kashyap's mobile phone and cash. When he resisted, he was repeatedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon.

The accused allegedly fled the scene with his mobile phone and around ₹4,000 in cash.

Victim Succumbs During Treatment

One of Kashyap's companions managed to escape and informed the police about the attack. Officers rushed to the spot and shifted the injured Congress leader to the district hospital.

Despite medical treatment, Kashyap later succumbed to his injuries.

Police completed the inquest proceedings and sent the body for post-mortem examination before registering a criminal case.

Congress Workers Protest

The incident triggered strong reactions from Congress workers, who gathered outside the hospital mortuary to protest against the killing.

Party leaders raised slogans against the state government, alleging a deterioration in law and order. They also submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and stricter measures to curb violent crime.

Durg Rural Congress president Rakesh Thakur questioned the adequacy of police patrolling along the Dhamdha Road and alleged that regular night patrols could have helped prevent such incidents.

Police Investigating Multiple Angles

Police officials said preliminary investigation points towards a case of robbery that turned fatal after the victim resisted.

Teams have been deployed to identify and trace the four suspects. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby locations and questioning local residents to establish the movement of the accused before and after the incident.

Authorities said additional evidence is being collected to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Village Mourns Leader's Death

The death of Prakash Singh Kashyap has cast a pall of grief over Tumakala village, where he was actively involved in local governance and political activities.

Residents and supporters have demanded swift action against those responsible, while police have assured that every effort is being made to identify and arrest the accused at the earliest.

Officials said further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.

While most villages sleep through the night, residents of Kachandur village in Chhattisgarh's Durg district observe a centuries-old ritual that symbolically seals the village from misfortune. Known locally as Savnahi, the annual tradition sees village elders and the Baiga priest perform midnight rituals believed to protect the community from disease, natural calamities and negative influences.

The ritual began shortly before midnight at the Sheetla Mata temple, where the Baiga priest, accompanied by senior villagers, performed traditional prayers. After the ceremony, the group carried coconuts and other offerings to the four boundaries of the village, where small pits were dug and ritual offerings were made. During this period, all other residents remained indoors, awaiting an announcement from the village kotwar (watchman) signalling the completion of the ceremony.

As part of the ritual, cow dung symbols were marked outside homes, a practice villagers believe serves as a protective sign. Until the Baiga completed the ceremony and the kotwar officially declared the village "sealed," no one was allowed to step outside.

Village Sarpanch Kirtan Sahu said the tradition is observed every year before the beginning of the Shravan month and has been passed down through generations. According to him, the ritual is performed to seek blessings from village deities and ensure peace, prosperity and protection for the entire community.

The Baiga priest and village elders visit all four directions of the village, worship local deities and make offerings at sacred sites located along the village boundary. Residents believe the ceremony safeguards agricultural fields, livestock and families from illness and unforeseen disasters throughout the year.

Deputy Sarpanch Budhram Verma said the ritual has remained unchanged despite rapid modernization. He noted that villagers continue to follow the tradition with the same devotion because it represents their cultural identity and collective faith.

Local resident Ghanshyam Sahu recalled witnessing the ceremony since childhood. He said the ritual is more than a religious observance—it brings the entire village together and reinforces the belief that community well-being depends on collective prayers and mutual trust.

One of the distinctive aspects of Savnahi is that only the Baiga priest and selected male elders participate in the midnight procession. According to local customs, women do not take part in the boundary ritual, although families observe the occasion by remaining indoors until the ceremony concludes.

Despite the absence of scientific evidence supporting the ritual's protective effects, villagers continue to regard Savnahi as an important part of their cultural heritage. The ceremony is seen as an annual expression of gratitude towards nature and a collective prayer for healthy crops, protected livestock and peaceful village life.

The tradition remains alive not only in Kachandur but also in several villages across Chhattisgarh, reflecting the continued influence of indigenous customs in rural communities. Local residents say preserving such practices is essential for maintaining their connection with ancestral traditions, even in an era shaped by science and technology.

As rural India continues to modernise, ceremonies like Savnahi highlight how traditional beliefs and community rituals continue to coexist alongside contemporary life, preserving cultural identity across generations.

The deceased has been identified as Sandeep Kumar Sinha, an Area Manager with Oriental Insurance Company's Raipur branch. According to railway officials, he was a regular commuter who frequently travelled between Durg and Raipur by train using a monthly railway pass.

The accident occurred in the early hours of July 23 at around 5:45 a.m. A Durg–Raipur local train was standing at Platform No. 4 when the Pune–Hatia Superfast Express arrived at Platform No. 3. After its scheduled halt, the express train began moving out of the station.

Investigators said Sinha initially intended to travel by the local train but changed his mind after noticing the departing superfast express. He hurried towards the moving train in an attempt to board it before it left the platform.

During the attempt, the laptop bag he was carrying reportedly slipped down his arm, affecting his grip on the coach handrail. As he tried to regain balance, he lost his footing and fell into the gap between the platform and the moving train.

The train ran over part of his body, severing his right leg. The impact caused severe injuries, and he suffered massive blood loss at the scene.

Passengers immediately alerted railway authorities, following which personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and railway staff rushed to the platform. He was pulled away from the tracks and shifted to the district hospital in an ambulance. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police identified the victim through documents recovered from his belongings. His body was sent for post-mortem examination before being handed over to family members.

Two days after the accident, CCTV footage of the incident surfaced on social media and has since circulated widely online. The video shows Sinha running alongside the moving train before losing balance while trying to climb aboard. Railway officials have urged the public not to share the footage without discretion, given its sensitive nature.

Railway authorities have reiterated that passengers should never attempt to board or alight from moving trains. Officials said even a few seconds saved by trying to catch a departing train can result in irreversible consequences.

Preliminary findings indicate that the accident was caused by the loss of balance while boarding the moving train. The role of the slipping laptop bag is also being examined as part of the investigation.

The Government Railway Police has registered the case and is continuing its inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Railway authorities are also expected to review station surveillance footage and witness statements as part of standard procedure.

The tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about passenger safety at railway stations, with officials once again appealing to commuters to wait for the next available train instead of taking risks that could prove fatal.

A Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) employee was killed and two others were injured after a speeding Hyva truck rammed into their motorcycle near JP Chowk in Sector-5, Bhilai, late Monday night. The truck driver fled the spot, leaving the vehicle behind, while police have launched a search and are examining CCTV footage to identify and arrest the accused.

The deceased has been identified as Shyam Rao, a resident of Khursipar and an employee of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). According to police, Rao had visited his in-laws' residence in Maroda along with two companions earlier in the evening. The trio was returning home before Rao was scheduled to report for his night shift at the steel plant.

High-Speed Collision Near JP Chowk

The accident occurred near JP Chowk in Sector-5, where the motorcycle carrying all three men was struck by a speeding Hyva truck. The impact was severe, causing Shyam Rao to die on the spot.

The two other riders sustained serious injuries after being thrown onto the road. Local residents immediately alerted the police, who rushed to the scene and shifted the injured victims to Durg District Hospital for treatment.

Police later sent Rao's body for post-mortem examination.

Driver Escapes, Police Launch Search

Eyewitnesses said the truck driver abandoned the vehicle immediately after the accident and escaped from the scene before police arrived.

The police have seized the Hyva truck and initiated efforts to trace the driver. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby locations to establish the sequence of events and identify the accused.

Officials said a criminal case will be registered against the driver once his identity is confirmed.

Investigation Underway

The injured victims continue to receive treatment at Durg District Hospital, where doctors are monitoring their condition.

Police officials stated that the exact cause of the accident will be determined after completing the investigation, including examination of eyewitness statements and CCTV evidence.

The incident has once again raised concerns over speeding heavy vehicles and road safety in the Bhilai industrial region, particularly during late-night hours when many industrial workers travel to and from their workplaces.

The semi-nude body of a 55-year-old woman who had been reported missing was found in bushes near the Pulgaon canal in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, prompting police to launch an investigation into a suspected murder and possible sexual assault.

The deceased, identified as Bhagwantin Bai Sahu (55), had been missing since July 16. Her family filed a missing person complaint at the City Kotwali police station on July 17. Within hours of the complaint, police received information about a woman's body lying in a forested area near the Pulgaon canal.

The body was discovered in bushes along a dirt road leading towards the Shivnath River, adjacent to a Reliance petrol pump. Police reached the spot at around 6 pm, secured the crime scene and began collecting forensic evidence.

Head Injuries Suggest Murder

According to police, the victim sustained severe head injuries, allegedly caused by a stone. Investigators believe the fatal head trauma points to homicide, although the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination.

The body has been sent for autopsy.

Sexual Assault Angle Under Investigation

Police said the lower part of the victim's body was found without clothing, leading investigators to examine the possibility of sexual assault before or after the killing.

However, officials stressed that there is no official confirmation of sexual assault at this stage, and any conclusion will depend on medical and forensic reports. Investigators are treating both homicide and possible sexual offence as active lines of inquiry.

Victim Last Seen Near Tehsil Office

Preliminary investigation suggests Bhagwantin Bai was last seen near the Durg Tehsil Office between 3 pm and 4 pm on July 16.

Police are now reviewing CCTV footage to determine how she reached the Pulgaon area and whether she was accompanied by anyone. Officers are also questioning local residents and potential witnesses to reconstruct her final movements.

Forensic Teams Deployed

Given the seriousness of the case, teams from the Crime Branch, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Dog Squad have joined the investigation.

Authorities have collected physical evidence from the scene for scientific examination and are scrutinising the victim's recent contacts while tracking suspicious movements in the area.

Police Await Post-Mortem Findings

Police said the investigation is being conducted as a suspected murder case. The post-mortem and forensic reports are expected to determine the precise cause of death and clarify whether any sexual offence was committed.

Officials said further action, including identifying and arresting those responsible, will be based on scientific and technical evidence gathered during the investigation.

A highly shameful and deeply disturbing incident has emerged from the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, where a father subjected his own 7-year-old daughter to sexual assault. The accused is the brother of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of police, who initially used his departmental influence and cited family reputation to hush up the matter. However, when the perpetrator repeated the heinous crime in July, the mother showed immense courage, breaking her silence to file a First Information Report (FIR) on July 15. Taking swift action, the police arrested the accused and sent him to jail. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of the Smriti Nagar police outpost.

Police Uncle Protected Accused Brother Instead of Upholding the Law

According to reports, the accused father first assaulted his minor daughter in March. Terrified, the little girl immediately informed her mother. Hoping that her brother-in-law—who serves as an ASI in the police department—would perform his duty and bring justice to the child, the victim's mother initially disclosed everything to him.

However, instead of standing by the law, the uncle prioritized saving the family from public humiliation and actively suppressed the case. He convinced his sister-in-law that he would counsel his brother and give him a chance to reform. He made the accused brother apologize and promised to send him far away from the family. Trusting her brother-in-law's assurances, the mother refrained from filing a police complaint at the time. However, the accused father never left and remained at the house, waiting for another opportunity.

Second Assault in July: Mother Breaks Her Silence

Emboldened by the cover-up and the lack of legal consequences, the accused father's audacity grew. In July, he assaulted his 7-year-old daughter once again. This time, the mother refused to give in to family pressure or remain silent. She immediately took her daughter and left the house to lodge a formal complaint.

• Delayed by Jurisdictional Issues: The victim's mother initially approached the main Durg police station. However, after hearing the details, the local police cited territorial jurisdiction and directed her to the Smriti Nagar police station.

• Arrest at Smriti Nagar: The mother then reached the Smriti Nagar station with her daughter and filed the case against her husband. The police acted promptly, tracking down and arresting the accused father.

Extreme Trauma Inflicted on the Minor; SIT Demanded

The horrific ordeal has left a deep psychological scar on the 7-year-old girl. The mother stated that whenever the accused father came near the child, she would break down in absolute terror, clinging tightly to her mother and crying uncontrollably. The child has been left severely traumatized, harboring deep dread toward her own father.

"The families of the two brothers had not been on speaking terms for some time due to strained relations. Despite the bad blood, when the incident first occurred in March, the girl's mother put past bitterness aside and trusted her policeman brother-in-law. She expected him to honor his uniform, but he chose to shield his criminal brother instead." — Family Source

In light of the extreme gravity of the case, BJP District President Sweety Kaushik wrote a formal letter to the Durg Superintendent of Police (SP), demanding the immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). She urged the authorities to ensure a swift investigation and push for a speedy trial in a fast-track court to deliver the harshest punishment to the accused father at the earliest. The police are currently conducting a thorough investigation into all angles of the case.

 Four members of a family, including two sisters and two young girls, were killed in a tragic road accident on the Durg–Raipur National Highway (NH-53) in Chhattisgarh on Thursday morning after their scooter rammed into a parked tractor loaded with oxygen cylinders. An eight-year-old boy sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur.

The accident occurred in the Kumhari police station area between 10:00 am and 10:30 am, police said.

Family Was Travelling to Visit Relatives

According to police, five members of the same family were travelling on a scooter from Somni, Bhilai-3 to Basant Vihar in Raipur to visit their maternal relatives.

The victims have been identified as Amrita Nirmalkar (28), her younger sister Laxmi Nirmalkar (26), Amrita's seven-year-old daughter Yachna, and four-year-old Dali. Amrita's eight-year-old son Bhavesh survived the crash but suffered serious injuries and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at AIIMS Raipur.

Police said the scooter collided with the rear of a tractor-trolley carrying oxygen cylinders that was parked along the roadside. The impact was so severe that four occupants died at the scene.

Birthday Celebration Turned Into Tragedy

The accident has left the family devastated. According to Lokesh Nirmalkar, Amrita's husband, the family had celebrated daughter Yachna's birthday on July 14, just two days before the tragedy.

The following day, they planned a visit to relatives in Raipur, but the journey ended in a fatal accident on the highway.

Police Detain Tractor Driver

Police have seized the tractor involved in the accident and taken its driver, Bhola Yadav, into custody for questioning. The bodies have been sent to Supela Mortuary for post-mortem examination.

Officials said further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the accident, including whether the parked vehicle complied with highway safety norms.

Eyewitnesses Raise Questions

Some eyewitnesses alleged that a convoy of political leaders was passing through the highway around the time of the accident and claimed police personnel were occupied with protocol duties, delaying the emergency response.

However, police have not officially confirmed these allegations, and no statement has been issued linking the convoy to the response time. The claims remain under investigation.

Road Safety Concerns Resurface

The accident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety, particularly the risks posed by stationary heavy vehicles on highways. It also underscores the dangers of carrying multiple passengers on two-wheelers, especially children, on high-speed roads.

Authorities are expected to examine whether adequate warning signs or safety measures were in place around the parked tractor.

A 21-year-old man was arrested within 24 hours after allegedly entering an elderly couple's house at knifepoint and robbing a gold necklace in Chhattisgarh's Durg district. The incident, captured on CCTV cameras installed inside the house, took place in the Nevai police station area.

According to police, the accused, identified as Vibhanshu Mahobia, a native of Mandla district in Madhya Pradesh, entered the residence with his face covered using a cloth. Armed with a sharp-edged weapon, he allegedly threatened the elderly couple and demanded cash and jewellery before fleeing with a gold necklace.

Incident Captured on CCTV

The CCTV footage of the robbery has surfaced, showing the masked accused entering the house while the elderly man was resting on a sofa. The video also captures the accused threatening the elderly woman with a knife, demanding valuables, and dragging her back when she attempted to move outside the house.

After snatching the gold necklace from the victim, the accused fled from the scene.

Victims Were Alone at Home

Police said the complaint was lodged by V. Kumar (59), a resident of Flat No. 109, Shubhkamna Heights, Pragati Nagar. Kumar told investigators that he was at work on July 4 when the family's domestic helper, Girja Yadav, informed him over the phone that an unknown person had entered his house where his elderly parents were alone.

Based on the complaint, Nevai police registered a robbery case and launched an investigation.

Accused Traced Through Technical Evidence

Investigators inspected the crime scene, questioned witnesses and analysed technical evidence, including CCTV footage, to identify the suspect.

Police later arrested Vibhanshu Mahobia, who was staying in a rented accommodation in the Hospital Sector area under Bhilai Nagar police station limits.

Bike, Weapon and Clothes Seized

During interrogation, police recovered the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime, the sharp-edged weapon and the clothes worn by the accused during the robbery.

The accused was produced before a local court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

Probe Continues

Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused had entered the house with the intention of committing robbery. Police are also verifying whether he has any previous criminal record or involvement in similar offences.

The investigation is continuing.

A joint task force of the Durg City Kotwali Police and the Anti-Crime and Cyber Unit (ACCU) busted a major commercial sex racket operating under the guise of an ice-cream parlor and sweet shop at Jalaram Lodge in Indra Market on Sunday afternoon.

The establishment, located on the busy Indra Market main road, used strict security screening methods, denying entry to new walk-ins and entertaining only verified repeat clients whose mobile numbers were preregistered in the operator's database. Following an intensive five-hour operation monitored by senior IPS officers, police arrested seven individuals, including the lodge owner, three women, and two clients, while seizing a large stash of contraceptive packets and cash.

Infiltration Strategy: Dummy Client Sent to Confirm Activity

Acting on precise intelligence that a prostitution ring was operating from the upper floors of the commercial property, the police formulated a full-proof infiltration plan to avoid legal loopholes.

Chronology of the Sting Operation:

├── Sunday, 03:00 PM : Joint ACCU & Kotwali teams arrive in unmarked vehicles at Indra Market

├── Phase 1 Deployment: A decoy police officer enters Jalaram Lodge posing as a customer

├── Phase 2 Trigger    : Decoy confirms illegal activity; sends a pre-coded green signal via text

└── Phase 3 Execution  : Heavy police details storm the premises; shutters pulled for 5 hours

Under the on-field supervision of IPS Harshit Mehar and DSP Bharti Markam, teams cordoned off the escape routes as soon as the decoy operative transmitted confirmation from inside the lodge.

Dual-Front Layout: Sweet Shop Below, Racket Above

The investigation revealed that the ground floor functioned normally as a popular sweet shop and ice-cream parlor, serving as an effective front. The illegal activities were restricted to the lodge rooms directly above the shop floor.

Local residents admitted having suspicions for months, but the operational secrecy maintained by the managers prevented external confirmation. The management aggressively turned away casual visitors, running the operation purely through an invite-only digital network.

Multiple Bookings Under PITA Act; Contraband Recovered

During the room-by-room searches, police apprehended three women and two male clients in compromising positions. The prime organizer and owner of Jalaram Lodge, identified as Vijay Gujarati, was also cornered and detained on the spot.

Inventory of Seizures:

├── Liquid Cash        : ~₹20,000 (Transactional proceeds)

├── Digital Contraband : 4 Smartphones (Containing client databases)

└── Medical Seizures   : 80 Condom packets & related materials

The City Kotwali police have officially registered a criminal case against the accused under Sections 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (PITA).

The formal arrest logs identified the operator as Vijay Gujarati, alongside two active clients identified as Narayan Deshmukh and Tamasha Kumar Sahu. The three female workers rescued from the site are being questioned to determine if an interstate human trafficking angle was involved in sourcing the personnel. Further technical analysis of the seized smartphones is underway to map out the complete network of regular patrons.