Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 13:

With growing calls for immediate action against the SOG commandos involved in the Kandhamal shooting incident, Odisha Police Association today issued a statement warning of consequences, if procedure is not followed before initiating any action.

Anup Kanungo odisha police association

The association today requested the public not to blame SOG jawans until the investigation report says so and requested the political parties to refrain from politicizing the issue.

“The government has decided to get an investigation done into the shooting incident. Our Association will certainly take an agitational path, should there be any arbitrary action against the SOG commandoes before the investigation is over,” said President of Odisha Police Association Anup Kanungo.

“We stand strong with our SOG brothers. We will not tolerate any vengeful action,” he added.

Notably, the Odisha Police Havildar, Constable and Sepoy Association had yesterday offered their support for the SOG jawans after several political outfits demanded action against the SOG.

“Kandhamal shooting incident is an unfortunate incident. However, the police are being targeted even before the investigations are over. The political parties are blaming the police directly. Where do they go when police personnel die because of Maoist firing? This is discouraging the police and encourage Maoists,” the Association had said yesterday.

It may be mentioned here that according to government data, between 2004 and 2015, as many as 128 security personnel lost their lives to Maoist fire. During the same period, 148 Maoists and 258 civilians were also killed. While 1,447 red rebels were arrested, 404 surrendered.

According to South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR), an independent watchdog in the south Asian region, 185 security personnel lost their lives to Maoist fire between January 2005 and July 10, 2016. During the same period, 188 Maoists and 301 civilians were also killed.