Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered a probe and announced a compensation of Rs10 lakh each for the two civilians who got killed during a gun battle between the police and the CPI (Maoists) when they were caught in an the encounter at Marwai village under Bishunpur police station in Gumla. The CM has also announced Rs 1 lakh for each of the six others who also received injuries during the incident.
The CM has also instructed the Deputy Commissioner to provide free treatment to the injured persons who were rushed to Apollo Hospital in Ranchi late on Wednesday. Soren directed the South Chotanagpur Commissioner and Zonal IG to investigate the case and submit a report so that quick action could be taken against the culprits.
According to the police, the rebels ambushed a bauxite-laden truck moving with some labourers early in the morning on Wednesday killing the driver Heeralal Oraon (30) and labourer Nilesh Oraon (26) on the spot while Ashok Oraon, Sureshwar Oraon, Sameer Oraon and Upendra Oraon were injured in the incident.According to the police sources they wanted to trap the ultras as they had inputs about their movements in the area. The crossfire began when the rebels opened fire, forcing the security personnel to retaliate.
Meanwhile, DIG Praveen Kumar, who reached the spot to investigate into the matter, has said that proper action will be taken against anybody found guilty for the killings. He said it will be clear by the forensic report whether the villagers got killed by the bullets of rebels or the security forces.
lohardaga SP Mrityunjay Kumar, who is in charge of Gumla, also believes that the driver and labourer got killed by the bullets of rebels. “The villagers have asserted that the two got killed out of the indiscriminate firing initiated by the rebels,” said Kumar. He however said that forensic teams have been called to investigate and find out the truth after examining the spot properly, he said.