Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 9:

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have criticized the Odisha government and termed it as “anti-tribal” after the Kandhamal encounter late last night which claimed six lives, the youngest victim being a two-month-old.

jual-oram

Senior BJP leader and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram today said that the Naveen Patnaik-led government is anti-tribal adding that, he would speak to Chief Secretary on Monday and seek a report on the encounter.

The Opposition Congress too lambasted the government in the wake of the deaths of the tribals who were reportedly trapped in crossfire during the anti-Maoist operation in Gumurumaha forest in the district.

Former Nabarangpur MP and Congress leader Pradeep Majhi today held a press conference in Rayagada and came down heavily on the BJD government for its ‘anti-tribal’ policies.

“The innocent tribals are being killed in the name of encounter. Number of torture in Naveen regime is increasing. Is this the government’s policy to throttle the voice of the poor tribals? If that is the case, then there would be a mass movement against the ruling Biju Janata Dal in the coming days,” Pradeep Majhi thundered.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Prasad Harichandan said that the government should stop the killing of innocent tribals in the name of anti-Maoist operations or else it would have to face severe consequences.

It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister tried to shed responsibility by announcing judicial probe and ex-gratia to the kin of the victims and the Congress condemns it.

The announcements made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik are not his solidarity towards the victims’ families rather it is binding on the government as per Supreme Court guidelines, Prasad said.