Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the State Human Rights Protection Cell into the killing of five tribal people in a crossfire between security forces and Maoists in Kandhamal district on Friday night.
Patnaik announced the probe after reviewing the incident with Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, Home Secretary Asit Tripathy, DGP KB Singh and Intelligence Director Sunil Roy. DGP Singh briefed about the incident to the CM.
“For a thorough and impartial probe into the incident, I have directed that the investigation of the case will be done by a Special Investigation Team of the State Human Rights Protection Cell to be monitored and supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional DG. If anyone is found of negligent conduct after probe, we shall take stringent action,” Patnaik told reporters after the meeting.
He said he has directed the DGP to have a detailed review and apply required correctives so that such an incident is not repeated in future during anti-Maoist operations.
“My Government is always concerned for the ST, SC and the deprived sections of the society,” remarked Patnaik.