Kandhamal firing: Odisha Congress submits report to Rahul Gandhi

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Aug 27: 

A five member team of Congress, led by PCC President Prasad Harichandan and LoP in Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra, today met AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi and submitted its report on Kandhamal Gumudumaha firing.

According to sources, the delegation briefed Gandhi about the failure of State Government machinery in the incident.

The team further cited that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will not be able to bring out the truth and demanded an investigation by a judge of the High Court.

“Our report makes it clear that the tribals and dalits are not safe in the state. The State Government has formed the SIT in an attempt to cover up the incident and it will not reveal the truth. We hold the State Government responsible. SOG is a creation of the State Government,” said former union ministers Kishore Chandra Deo who visited Gumudumaha on July 23 as part of an AICC fact finding team.

“Today we submitted the report. We will go ahead with our political agenda according to the facts recorded in the report. The Vice President asked us to stand together and put up a fight for the people,” said Harichandan speaking to reporters after meeting Gandhi.

Biju Janata Dal, on the other hand, reacted to the development and refuted the allegations levelled by Congress.

“There allegations in the report are not true. They are baseless and politically motivated. Congress probably does not know what the State Government has done for the tribals. They never attempted to help the tribals during their rule. During Naveen rule 25 percent of the tribals have received quite a bit of support and sympathy,” said senior Spokesperson of BJD Surya Patro.