Bhubaneswar: Justice P K Mohanty Commission of Inquiry which probed the 2006 Kalinga Nagar police firing in its report has blamed the role of local leaders, political parties and NGOs for the incident.

The report tabled by the State government in the Odisha Assembly today said that some local leaders, political parties and others while taking advantage of the situation had mobilized and instigated villagers to take to the confrontational path instead of peaceful agitation.

The report said that it was frustration among the local tribals for not getting adequate compensation following displacement and land acquisition for a private steel plant which had triggered the violence.

The report has recommended for more compensation for the injured persons, people-oriented welfare schemes for the uplift of locals and jobs to at least one family member of persons who were killed in the incident.

The State government also tabled the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the Commission’s report in the Assembly today.

The ATR said that action has already been taken at different levels which had been in line with the recommendations of the Commission.

It’s worthwhile to mention here that on January 2, 2006, a large number of locals mostly tribals who were opposed to the construction of the boundary wall on the land acquired for Tata Steel’s Kalinga Nagar project had a faceoff with some contractors engaged in the construction work.

Later locals clashed with the police and a police constable was hacked to death by the mob. As the situation went out of control, police opened fire in which 13 tribals were killed and 27 were injured.

The State government appointed Justice P K Mohanty on September 4, 2009, to inquire into the incident.

The Commission submitted its report to the State government on July 3, 2015. The State government accepted the report on June 8, 2016, after it was examined by the Home department.