A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) SP Gurudas Kundu, on Monday began its second-phase probe into the death of five villagers during an anti-Maoist operation near Gumudumaha village in the Malapanga forest of Kandhamal district on July 8 even as tribals and dalits hit the streets in Baliguda demanding arrest of the jawans involved in the killing.
“The team led by me with a DSP and an officer in the rank of deputy commandant arrived here yesterday. We have begun the second phase investigation from today. We will confine our investigation to Phulbani, Baliguda and its nearby areas. We are trying to collect relevant information in connection with the incident to bring the truth to the limelight at the earliest,” said Kundu.
He said the SIT is yet to get the forensic report of the guns, live bullets and empty cartridges it had seized in its first phase investigation to ballistic experts.
“Till then, our next phase probe will focus on the collection of allied information about the nature of firing and the nature of death of the villagers,” said Kundu.
Meanwhile, demanding arrest of the jawans responsible for the civilians’ killing, a mass protest was organised at Baliguda by several tribal and dalit organisations from across the State.
In view of the mass congregation, security was tightened at Baliguda. Four DSPs, 50 officers and 19 platoons of police force were deployed to maintain law and order.
The protesters’ rally began from the Baliguda mini stadium and marched through the town before culminating at the Sub-Collector’s office, where tribal and dalit leaders addressed a gathering.
later, they submitted a memorandum addressed to the President and Governor to the Sub-Collector.
“The Government is yet to take any proactive action against tribal and dalit killers. In the name of Maoist operation, the security forces have been killing civilians. We demand immediate arrest of the jawans responsible for the killing and also withdrawal of security forces from here,” said activist Prafulla Samantara.