Chhattisgarh massacre: HC orders fresh inquiry

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Jan 19 (UNI) Rejecting the government report on the massacre of 40 tribals in Errabore relief camp in Dantewada district allegedly by naxalites last year, the Chhattisgarh High Court has ordered a fresh inquiry into the matter.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice B K Srivastava and Justice Dhirendra Mishra, has directed the state government and the amicus curie in the petition to provide a panel of three names each within five days for setting up an independent inquiry committee.

About 40 people were killed and hutments set on fire in the attack carried out by the ultras on July 17, 2006.

In a letter petition, Bastar's Pratap Agrawal and Narayan Swami requested a detailed inquiry into the matter stating that several thousand people were put up in government-run relief camps since anti-naxalite 'Salwa Judum' campaign had started in June 2005.

Though the Errabore relief camp was located near police station, the incident occurred due to inadequate security arrangements, the petition said.

The petitioner sought disciplinary action, after proper inquiry, against responsible officials.

On January 11, the bench had directed the state government and police to present separate investigation reports.

Principal Secretary (Home) Subhash Atre and Inspector General (Intelligence) Girdhari Nayak submitted the reports yesterday but the High Court rejected it.

The next date of hearing was fixed on January 29.

UNI