Taking a serious view over no arrest of the accused persons involved in the killing of two civilians at a Praja court run by Maoists in Malkangiri district and non-payment of ex-gratia to the kin of the victims, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the State’s Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to submit reports within four weeks in the matter.
On January 25 last year, Deba Sodi and Irama Bangami of Silakota village of Podia block were killed at Praja court in a dense forest in Malkangiri district. The matter came to the notice of the commission on January 28, 2014 when rights activist Subhash Mohapatra lodged a complaint at the NHRC. The latest proceeding (order to Chief Secretary and DGP) was in continuation with earlier proceedings of the commission dated September 8, 2014.
The petitioner alleged that the Government has failed to protect the right to life of the victims and denied compensation to the next of kin of the deceased. Pursuant to the directions of the commission, the Crime Branch CID, Cuttack Superintendent of Police on March 31 last year submitted the report with the commission that the next of the kin of two deceased victims did not cooperate with the district police in submitting the requisite documents thereby delaying in paying in the same.
While the Chief Secretary was directed to submit his report regarding the payment of ex-gratia, the DGP was directed to submit his report indicating the present status/outcome of case registered at Podia police station dated 27th of january, 2014 and also directed to report whether or not accused were arrested and sent to court.