The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked its Director General of Investigation (DGI) to investigate a case in which Border Security Force (BSF) jawans, deployed for anti-Maoist operation, killed an innocent tribal Gangadhar Kirsani of litipur village under Machchakund police station in Koraput district. The DGI has been asked to complete the probe within ten weeks.
The apex human rights body passed the order following two separate but identical petitions filed by human rights activists Prabir Kumar Das and Radhakanta Tripathy.
Kirsani was killed by the BSF on October 29 last. When killed, he along with companion Samara Chalan prayed for mercy, but to no avail. Samara somehow escaped, while Kirsani was killed on the spot, the petitioners had alleged.
After Kirsani’s death, his widowed wife, two children and old parents are in utter hardship, the petitioners had said, urging the NHRC to direct the Government for rehabilitating the bereaved family members. They also had requested the NHRC for a thorough investigation into the case.
The inhabitants of the area are living under threats from the side of the security forces as well as the Maoists. Sometimes they are killed by the security forces, while sometimes by the Maoists. The Central and the State Governments have failed to provide safety to the families, the petitioners had said.
Petitioners Das and Tripathy had also urged the rights panel to direct the BSF and the State Government to ensure justice to the bereaved family, provide compensation, free education to the children, Indira Awas and other benefits under several welfare schemes.