Dahod, April 22 – A fire broke out late Monday night at a warehouse storing materials for a 70-megawatt solar power plant under construction by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Gujarat’s Dahod district. As per agency report, no injuries or casualties were reported, although the fire caused significant damage to the facility.

According to police officials, the fire erupted around 9:30 PM at the warehouse located in Bhatiwada village. The warehouse was being used to store equipment and materials essential for the solar plant's construction. Dahod Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdish Bhandari confirmed that the entire structure was engulfed in flames and has suffered extensive loss.

Emergency responders managed to safely evacuate all seven to eight employees and four security guards who were present at the site during the incident. The firefighting operation continued overnight, with fire tenders from Dahod, Godhra, Jhalod, and Chhota Udepur districts deployed to bring the blaze under control.

A fire officer noted that controlling the fire was challenging due to strong winds that helped the flames spread rapidly. The fire was brought under control by Tuesday morning, though by that time the contents of the warehouse had been completely destroyed.

An NTPC staff member said they were alerted to the fire around 9:15 PM, following which immediate notifications were sent to fire services and relevant authorities. Despite swift action, the blaze caused considerable damage before being contained.

Authorities are now assessing the extent of the material loss and investigating the possible cause of the fire. The warehouse stored key infrastructure components for the upcoming solar project, and the incident is likely to impact construction timelines.

Dahod, February 15 – A tourist van returning from the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj met with a tragic accident in Dahod district, Gujarat, after colliding with a stationary truck on the Indore-Ahmedabad highway late Friday night. The crash resulted in the death of four people, including a woman, while six others sustained injuries, police confirmed.

The accident took place near Limkheda at approximately 2:15 AM, according to officials. The van, carrying 10 pilgrims, was en route to Bharuch and Ahmedabad districts when it crashed into a parked truck by the roadside.

The deceased have been identified as Devraj Nakum (49) and his wife Jasuba (47) from Ankleshwar, and Siddhraj Dabhi (32) and Ramesh Goswami (47) from Dholka.

Authorities have shifted the injured individuals to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident, and officials are looking into whether driver fatigue or poor visibility played a role in the crash.

Dahod, January 28 – In a significant breakthrough, police in Dahod district’s Jhalod taluka successfully arrested the culprits behind a temple burglary in Varod village using advanced drone technology. Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, lauded the police team for their swift action and innovative approach.

Details of the Temple Burglary

According to reports, unidentified thieves broke into the Mahadev Temple in Varod village and looted valuables worth ₹61,500. The stolen items included cash from the donation box, silver plating from the Shivling, and other temple ornaments. The incident came to light early in the morning when villagers noticed the temple’s broken door and reported it to Limdi police.

Drone Surveillance Helps Track Down Thieves

After registering an FIR, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) police launched an extensive search operation. In a modern twist, they deployed drone cameras to survey the area and track suspicious movements. The strategy paid off, leading to the swift identification and arrest of the culprits.

Minister Praises Police Efforts

Acknowledging the success of the police team, Gujarat’s Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi praised their efforts in leveraging technology for crime detection. He congratulated the Dahod Superintendent of Police (SP) and the investigation team for their effective and timely response.

This case highlights how modern surveillance techniques, including drone monitoring, are becoming crucial tools in law enforcement and crime prevention, ensuring swift justice for communities.

Following the emergence of a viral video depicting booth capturing, the Election Commission has mandated re-polling at booth number 220 in Parthampura village, Mahisagar district, under the Dahod Lok Sabha seat. The incident, which occurred on May 7, involved Vijay Bhabhor, son of a BJP leader, who was arrested along with an associate.

The complaint of booth capturing was lodged at the polling booth in Parthampura village of Santrampur tehsil. According to reports, Vijay Bhabhor, during the primary school's polling at Parthampur village, captured booth number 220 and live-streamed the incident on social media.

Vijay Bhabhor, son of former head of Gothib Tehsil Panchayat Ramesh Bhabhor, allegedly entered the booth, assaulted Congress agent Sanabhai Taviad, and threatened him with dire consequences. Neha Kumari, Mahisagar District Collector, confirmed the arrests and the registration of an FIR in the case.

The District Election Officer submitted a report to the Election Commission, citing instances of bogus voting and mentioning the viral video. The report indicated that booth capturing occurred for 5 to 10 minutes. Notices were issued to the presiding officer and other officials, questioning their inaction during the incident. Four officers were served notices and asked to respond within a day.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked a significant milestone in the development journey of Dahod district by inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 55 projects totaling Rs 314 crore. The event, held at Singwad in Dahod, underscored the government's commitment to accelerating progress in the region.

During his visit, Patel inaugurated the Nursing College at Singwad, providing local youth with another educational avenue. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Surajya-Good Governance initiative, emphasizing its impact in ensuring that the rights of the poor, tribals, Dalits, and oppressed classes are directly addressed.

Patel highlighted the government's focus on development, noting that the strong foundation for current projects was laid by PM Modi. He commended the Prime Minister for recent development works totaling Rs 1.10 lakh crore in Gujarat and reiterated the commitment to inclusive development, ensuring Dahod's progress aligns with national goals.

The Chief Minister emphasized the government's efforts to provide employment to local youth through the upcoming Railways' electric engine manufacturing plant, a Rs 20,000 crore investment. He highlighted the transformation in tribal areas, noting the establishment of medical and engineering colleges and universities, enabling tribal children to access education locally.

Patel reiterated the government's dedication to 'Developed Gujarat for Developed India,' highlighting Dahod's progress in housing, financial inclusion, and healthcare under various government schemes. He praised the success of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM Swanidhi Yojana, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana in Dahod, showcasing the impact of these initiatives on improving lives and empowering communities.

Minister of State for Panchayat and Agriculture, Bachubhai Khabar, and MP Jaswant Singh Bhabhor also praised the government's efforts, highlighting Gujarat's development model and Dahod's transformation as examples of inclusive growth and progress under PM Modi's leadership.

Dahod, 1 October - The theatrical realm is plunged into grief following the untimely demise of renowned artist Bhaskar L Bhojak. Aged 39, Bhojak suffered a heart attack while onstage, leading to his tragic passing.

The incident occurred post the culmination of the play 'Be Aadhi Khichdi Kadhi' on Saturday evening. As lead actor Sanjay Goradia was introducing the cast to the audience, Bhojak, positioned near the stage door, suddenly collapsed. Medical professionals present in the audience immediately sprang into action, administering CPR and attempting resuscitation through mouth-to-mouth breathing. Despite efforts, including a rushed evacuation to the Rhythm Heart Institute, Bhojak's life could not be saved. The medical team pronounced him deceased, leaving the theater community and fans devastated.

Bhojak, a Mumbai-based artist, had traveled to Dahod for the staging of 'Be Aadhi Khichdi Kadhi', a show headlined by distinguished theater personality Sanjay Goradia and organized by Anaj Mahajan Public Education Society Sanskar Kendra. Showcasing his versatility, Bhojak portrayed dual roles in the play - initially as Totla Constable and subsequently as a Police Inspector. Over his career, he had contributed to numerous plays and television serials, establishing a significant presence in the arts. His remains have been transported to Mumbai for the final rites.

In a startling incident from Dahod, Gujarat, a father responded to his daughter's love marriage with an extreme symbolic act of disconnect—conducting her last rites despite her being very much alive. The family hails from the Garbada village, where rigid caste norms significantly shape social dynamics.

A month ago, a Brahmin girl disappeared from her home, leaving her family and fellow villagers in a state of worry. Unbeknownst to her parents, the young woman had eloped with a man from a different caste. After an extensive search, the family registered a missing person's complaint with the local police.

The police investigation led to the startling revelation that the girl hadn't gone missing but had willingly married a man of another caste. Faced with the unanticipated reality, the father pleaded with his daughter to return home. However, the young woman stood firm on her decision to stay with her husband.

Because she was of legal age and had married of her own volition, the police couldn't intervene in the situation. The revelation shocked the parents, who had no choice but to accept their daughter's decision.

However, the father's acceptance took a drastic turn upon returning to the village. He severed all ties with his daughter, going to the length of conducting her last rites, essentially declaring her dead to him and his family.

The incident eerily mirrors a similar situation from Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh, where another father, having disowned his daughter for marrying her lover, performed her last rites while she was still alive. He made a symbolic declaration of her death by shaving his head, a customary act in Hindu last rites.

Such incidents shine a light on the deep-seated caste prejudices still prevalent in many parts of India and the severe personal and societal conflicts they generate.

Dahod (Gujarat), June 1 (IANS) A tribal woman was publicly abused, stripped, and beaten by a group, including her estranged husband, in Gujarat's Dahod district, police said, adding that four accused have been arrested.

The incident took place on May 28, but a video of the shocking incident went viral on the social media on Wednesday, following which the arrests were made after widespread public outcry.

According to an official report, the woman's estranged husband, upset with her for living separately from him and their four children for the past 19 months, collaborated with two others to abduct her from Rampura village.

The victim was subsequently taken to Margala village, where the public assault took place, an official from Sukhsar police station said.

Officials revealed that the woman, belonging to a tribal community, had been living with another man in Chanasma in the Mehsana district, where they both earned a living as daily wage labourers.

The man's mother had invited them to a wedding in Rampura village and also extended an invitation to the woman's estranged husband.

Upon arrival, the estranged husband, accompanied by a group of men in a four-wheeler, abducted the woman and her companion, and transported them to Margala village.

The matter is still under investigation.