Under pressure from Opposition parties and human rights activists for the killing of five innocent people during an anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal district, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on Monday that a Special Investigation Team of the State Human Rights Protection Cell will probe the incident.
Mr. Patnaik ordered the SIT probe after a bandh by the Congress and the BJP in Kandhamal in protest against the killing evoked spontaneous response. Buses remained off the roads across Kandhamal and shops and business establishments remained shut. Activists of the Congress and the BJP took out processions.
The bandh passed off peacefully amid tight security arrangements by the police. Mr. Patnaik directed that the SIT probe be monitored by an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police. Terming the killing of the villagers as most unfortunate, Mr. Patnaik said his government had taken it very seriously.
Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission, acting upon a petition by a human rights activist, issued notices to senior State Government and police officials asking them to submit their reports on the incident within two weeks.
