Odisha rights body seeks Kandhamal killings report in two weeks

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 11:

Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has served notices to top officials over Kandhamal killings which claimed five lives of tribals and Dalits.

Taking cognisance of the petitions by activists, the rights body served notice on state Director General of Police, Home Secretary, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern Division) and Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) to submit a report in two weeks.

OHRC acting chairperson Justice B K Mishra gave the direction based on petitions filed by Chairman of Bhubaneswar-based Human Rights Front (HRF) Manoj Jena and six others, besides the media reports.

The petitioners have alleged that around 12 people from Gungudmaha village in Parampanka gram panchayat under Baliguda sub-division in Kandhamal district were returning in an auto-rickshaw from Baliguda after receiving their wages under MGNREGA, they were fired upon by police in Malapanga forest July 8, 2016.

Further, they alleged that killing of unarmed innocent persons in a fake encounter is a serious violation of their right to life as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India adding that the security personnel have violated the basic standards of human rights as they failed to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Besides, the petitioners have demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the deceased and Rs 10 lakh to the injured.

It may be mentioned here that five residents of Gumudumaha village were killed in firing late on Friday night while they were returning from Baliguda after withdrawing their NREGA wages.