The State Government on Tuesday night issued a formal notification on formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of five tribals, who were shot by security personnel at Kurtamgarh in Malapanga forest in Kandhamal district on July 8.
“The Home Department has issued the notification last night on formation of SIT to be headed by Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) ADG Mahendra Pratap who will supervise and monitor investigation into the killing of tribals by security personnel in Kandhamal district,” Home Department Special Secretary lalit Das told reporters here on Wednesday.
He said the Director General of Police (DGP) and the IG have been asked to constitute the SIT and choose the officers to be included in the team.
On July 11, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered formation of the SIT to probe the Kandhamal killings to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry into the incident.