Odisha govt criticised for tribal killings in anti-Maoist op

Holding BJD government responsible for killing of tribals during the anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal, opposition Congress and BJP on Sunday dubbed Naveen Patnaik regime as “anti-tribal” and gave separate bandh calls in the backward district.

Condemning the Friday night’s tragedy as inhuman and brutal, Congress and BJP both have called for a shut-down in the tribal-dominated district on Monday.

A team led by Odisha PCC president Prasad Harichandan on Sunday visited the area and met families of the victims. A BJP delegation under state party president Basant Panda is slated to tour the site of the incident on July 12.

Meanwhile, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra clarified that five persons had been killed in Maoist-police crossfire. Police had on Saturday put the death toll at six in the incident in Gumudumaha forest area under Tumudibandha police station limit.

Harichandan said the the judicial probe ordered into the incident was “unacceptable”. “BJD government is fully responsible for the tragedy in which innocent people were killed in the name of anti-Maoist operation.” 

Accountability for the incident lies with the chief minister who is in-charge of home department and he cannot shift responsibility by ordering judicial inquiry and financial assistance which he is bound to do as per Superme Court directive, he said.

Demanding strong action against officials responsible for the incident, Harichandan said Naveen Patnaik government would face the consequence for the killing of innocent tribals.

Terming the BJD regime as “anti-tribal”, Congress tribal and leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra said Patnaik, who is in-charge of home department, is answerable and must explain how the incident happened.

He also asked the state government to raise the ex-gratia announced for families of those killed from Rs 5 lakh to at least Rs 20 lakh each.

OPCC vice-president Pradeep Majhi hit out at the state government for the tragedy and dubbed it as “anti-tribal” and “anti-dalit.”