Though late, but finally the much-awaited RDC probe on the Namatara police firing will start on August 25.
According to sources, RDC (Central Range) Akhila Bihari Ota is scheduled to pay a visit to Kendrapada on August 25 to conduct an administrative inquiry on the incident at Namatara village under Rajkanika police limit, which took place on March 8, 2015 on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.
The RDC (Central Range) has issued notice to 23 persons to appear before him on the day at 10 am in the Circuit House to give their deposition on the clash.
Aul MlA Debendra Sharma, Additional Tehsildar of Kanika-cum-Executive Magistrate Pradosh Subhadarshan Mohanty, were among the 23 persons, to whom the RDC(CR) served the notice. RDC Ota will examine the witnesses, informed district administration sources.
Notably, hundreds of anti liquor protestors of Namatara village had ransacked a licenced liquor shop and also torched a police vehicle which triggered a severe backlash from the police. A police force led by the then SP of Kendrapada Satish Kumar Gajbhiye rushed to the spot and started opening fire indiscriminately to the gullible villagers.
As many as nine persons, including school students, had sustained injuries as bullets pierced into their bodies. The barbaric incident was condemned at several quarters.
On August 11, 2015, the State Government had announced a RDC probe.