Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 13:

The Odisha government has issued a formal notification for investigation of the Kandhamal firing by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Kandhamal encounter

The notification which was issued late in the evening yesterday has come after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced for a probe of the incident by SIT.

The notification dated July 12 issued by the Home department said: “Government, after careful consideration, have been pleased to order for constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the death of five civilians during anti-Maoist operations on July 8, 2016 in Gumudumaha forest under Baliguda Police Station of Kandhamal district.”

“The DG and IG of Police is hereby instructed to constitute a Special Investigation Team for investigation of the above case in Human Rights Protection Cell, State Police Headquarters, Cuttack.   Mahendra Pratap, ADG of Police, HRPC will supervise the investigation,” the notification further said.

Special secretary Home department Lalit Das clarified: “The DGP and IG will decide on who will constitute members of the SIT. Mahendra Pratap, ADG of Police, HRPC will supervise the investigation.”

It may be mentioned here that five innocent tribals of Gumudumaha village were killed and an equal number injured in police firing during anti-Maoist operations on the night of July 8 in the Kurtumgarh forest under Baliguda police limits. The killed include a two-year old child. These people were returning to their homes in two auto-rickshaws after receiving wages under MNREGS from Baliguda.