Naveen condemns Maoist attack; announces ex-gratia

Bhubaneswar, Jul 16 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today strongly condemned the killing of 20 policemen in the landmine explosion, triggered by the Maoists in Malkangiri district.

Expressing profound grief to the bereaved family members, Mr Patnaik announced that the kin of the deceased policeman would be given an ex-gratia of Rs four lakh besides the insurance cover of Rs ten lakh.

This apart, one member of the policemen killed in the incident would be provided with a suitable government job or else the family members would receive the monthly salary of the deceased policemen till retirement.

About 20 policemen, including the jawans of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Orissa Police, trained in anti-naxalite operation, were killed today when the anti-mine vehicle carrying them was blown up into pieces near the MV126 village under Kalimela Police station in Malkangiri district by the Maoists.

The policemen were returning after combing operation when the Maoists triggered a heavy landmine on the Motu-Kalimela route near the MV126 village, targetting the vehicle.

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