A blocked road in Phulbani due to bandh in Kandhamal district on Monday. (PTI Photo)
Terming the recent killing of five tribals, including two women and a 2-year-old boy, during an anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal as "most unfortunate", Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a judicial probe into the incident.
At least five villagers were killed and 7 injured in firing between the police and Maoists at Gumutmaha in Kandhamal district on July 8.
The victims were all laborers and they had gone to Baliguda to withdraw MGNREGA wages from their bank account. On their way back in autorickshaw they were caught in crossfire between Maoists and security forces near Gumutmaha forest.
Announcing Rs 5 lakh compensation for victims, the Chief minister said, "For a thorough and impartial probe into the incident, I have directed that the investigation of the case will be done by a Special Investigation Team of the State Human Rights Protection Cell to be monitored and supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional DG."
"If anyone is found to be of negligent conduct after probe, we shall take stringent action," he said in a statement after reviewing the situation.