Pay compensation to kin of people killed by Maoists, NHRC tells Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 25:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to take appropriate steps on providing compensation to the family of 435 persons, who were killed in incidents of Maoist violence in the state, within eight weeks.

Acting on a complaint filed by human rights activist Subash Mohapatra, the Commission has directed the concerned authority to take appropriate action within eight weeks and inform the complainant about the action taken in the matter.

“The Maoists have killed 435 persons, including 210 police personnel. The security personnel had eliminated 139 rebels.  It is further learnt that 210 security personnel were killed by the left wing ultras while 218 were injured in Maoist violence. Similarly, 225 civilians were also killed and 119 others had sustained injuries in Maoist attacks”, the petitioner had informed the Commission.

However, the next of kin of the deceased and survivors are yet to get the compensation from the state government.

It may be mentioned that the provision of Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia to the victims of Maoist violence has been made under the state and Central government schemes.