Movement of Greyhound jawan in large group a tactical error-Mishra

Bhubaneswar, Jul 1 (UNI) A tactical error by the Greyhound jawans to move in large group led to the Chitrakonda tragedy in which 34 jawans and a boatman went on untraced after the Naxalite attack last Sunday, Orissa Home Secretary Tarunkanti Misra said here today.

Mr Mishra said instead of moving in such a large group the jawans should have divided into small groups and started their journey early in the morning.

The Home Secretary said it was a major blunder on the part of the Greyhound jawans ferrying such a long distance on the water ways in one group.

The movement of the jawans should also be kept secret as it seemed the naxals were well aware about their action, he said.

As many as 35 people, including a boatman from Orissa, went missing after armed Naxalites attacked a motor boat carrying Greyhound jawans of Andhra Pradesh inside the Chitrakonda reservoir near Alampeka on June 29 last.

Till yesterday, 28 jawans could be traced after the incident and the search and rescue team recovered the body of a jawan with his hand and legs tied.

The team, the Home Secretary said, also rescued an injured jawan from the area today.

The search operation was still continuing in the area to trace the missing Greeyhound cops.

The Home Secretary said a bridge connecting 27 villages in the cut off areas on Orissa-Andhra Pradesh border at Janabai with the main land would be constructed soon to facilitate the communication system in the area.

He said the matter has been discussed with the Chief Secretary and the Works Secretary and the work for the Gurupriya bridge would start soon adding that all sorts security for the construction of the bridge would be provided.

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