The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has ordered payment of compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh to two young tribals who were severely injured due to indiscriminate firing by CRPF jawans during an anti-Maoist combing operation on January 8, 2013 near Khaliapali under Komna block in Nuapada district, sources said.
Hube Majhi and Hari Majhi sustained serious injuries after they were hit by bullets. The victims were catching fish from a pond. The OHRC’s order came in response to a petition filed by PUCl State convener Pramodini Pradhan and lawyer Biswapriya Kanungo on February 3, 2013. The commission has asked the State Home Secretary and the Nuapada district Collector to comply with its order within four weeks, sources said.
The Nuapada SP had stated that the police had taken the injured persons to hospital and underwritten their medical expenses. He had also argued that the tribals were hit by bullets fired by Maoists and not by CRPF jawans.
The OHRC, however, said whether the injuries to the victim were caused by Maoists or the security forces is immaterial and evidently the State failed to offer protection to two citizens.