NCST satisfied over Odisha's follow-up action in Kandhamal firing

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) today expressed satisfaction over the actions taken by Odisha government in the aftermath of the killing of five people during an anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal district last month.

"The state government's action in the wake of the incident was satisfactory. We had suggested them to provide compensation and job for the victims' families. They (government) have done so," NCST Chairperson Rameswar Oraon said after meeting Chief Secretary A P Padhi here.

"The NCST had observed in its report that the incident was not justified. Acting on the report of the commission, the Odisha government had constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT).The commission will review the SIT report thoroughly," he said.

The SIT, which is slated to submit its report in three months, has already completed one-and-a half months of its investigation so far, Oraon said, adding any police personnel found to have fired on the innocent people of Gumudumaha village will be punished.

Five villagers, including two women and a child, were killed during exchange of fire between Special Operation Group (SOG) jawans and Maoists at Malapanga forest in Kandhamal district on the night of July 8.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on July 11 had ordered formation of an SIT to ensure a thorough and impartial probe into the incident.

On the death of 19 Juang tribe children allegedly due to malnutrition in Nagada village of Jajpur district, Oran said this is not the lone case in the country.

Such incidents had been reported from other states as well. Measures are being taken to ensure that no child dies of malnutrition, he said.

Oran also discussed with the state officials on the action taken report of the Odisha government for rehabilitation of the displaced due to the Steel Authority of India Ltd’s Rourkela Steel Plant project.

PTI