Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Baliguda, July 16:

A three-member parliamentary committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today visited the grief-stricken Gumudumaha village in Odisha’s Kandhamal district where five persons, mostly tribals, were killed during an anti-Maoist operation over a week ago.

bjp central team

The BJP delegation comprising of three MPs and senior state leaders arrived at Baliguda this morning. The team left for Gumudumaha and Kurtamgarh in the district for the on-spot probe into the incident.

“The security forces have killed five innocent people. The government has tried to cover-up the issue and tried to project as if nothing had happened. We feel pained after meeting the victims and eyewitnesses,” MP and BJP National Vice President, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said.

The committee would submit its report to BJP National President Amit Shah.

“The incident that took place was very serious. Women have died in the incident. Prime Minister and BJP National President took up the matter and decided to send a three-member team to Odisha. We could realize the grief after meeting the people. This is not humanity,” BJP National Secretary, Jyoti Dhurve said.

Apart from Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Jyoti Dhurve, Ramvichar Nitam, Pratap Sarangi, Golak Nayak, Lekhashri Samantasinghar, Sisir Gamang and other leaders met the kin of the deceased, injured and eyewitnesses.

It may be mentioned here that a Congress delegation led by Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra had also visited the hamlet yesterday.

“Issues related to Kandhamal and the July 8 incident will be discussed in the next Assembly session on a priority basis. We would seek everybody’s help for the overall development of Kandhamal. Socio-economic development, eradication of poverty and above all weeding out Maoist activities in the district,” Narasingha Mishra said.