Congress to raise Kandhamal firing issue in Parliament

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Baliguda, Jul 23:

The five-member team of All India Congress Committee visiting Odisha’s Gumudumaha today said that they will raise the Kandhamal shooting issue in the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament.

Speaking to reporters, member of the team and former Union Minister Jayaram Ramesh said, “This is not the only such incident in Odisha, but the fourth one in a year wherein dalits and tribals have been killed in encounters. The State Government should feel embarrassed. Questions are being raised at its efficiency. We will raise the issue in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.”

“All the men that were there on the spot told me that the bullets came from only one side. I would term it cold blooded murder,” said leader of the team Kishore Chandra Deo after meeting the kins of the deceased and the survivors of the shooting.

Apart from Ramesh and Deo, senior Congress leader KH Muniyappa, Vincent Pala and Arun Oraon were also part of the team. Besides, PCC President Prasad Harichandan and Odisha Congress co-in-charge Subhankar Sarkar visited the spot along with the AICC observers.

The team will submit its report to party President Sonia Gandhi.

PCC Chief Harichandan alleged that the State Government is trying to cover up the incident through the SIT investigation.

“The SIT said that they have received shells of .303 rifles. This indicates the direction of the probe. The investigation is being misguided to cover up the incident,” said Harichandan.

Ruling BJD, on the other hand, replied to the allegations.

“Whatever happened happened accidentally. The State Government has taken it seriously. The AICC observers, who visited the spot after much delay, are trying to reap political benefits. That would never be successful,” said BJD Spokesperson Sashi Bhusan Behera.