Collector probes Dangamati ‘fake’ encounter

Rayagada: Rayagada Collector Jagannath Mohanty on Friday conducted an on-the-spot verification of alleged firing by security personnel on a Dongaria Kondh man killing him on the spot on February 27.

Mohanty, after meeting the family members of the deceased, identified as Manda Kadraka, in the company of the sub-collector and SDPO, told media persons, “Today we made a spot visit on basis of a complaint filed before the OHRC by the family members of Manda Kadraka. Besides, we also personally informed them to appear at the Tehsildar's office on Sunday to present their case for the investigation.”

Pramod Sikaka, a villager, said, “The Collector, Sub-collector and SDPO came to the village to investigate the encounter. However, they did not visit the spot where Manda Kadraka was killed.”

Meanwhile, Dirka Kadraka, brother of the deceased, said, “They asked me whether he is my brother and told me to appear at the Tehsildar office on Sunday.”

Notably, the police had claimed that Manda Kadraka was a Maoist. However, the family members of the deceased said their son was not a Maoist. They lodged a complaint at the Kalyansinghpur police station regarding this.

The OHRC will hear the case at the Tehsildar's office after charges were levelled by several organizations against the security personnel alleging that the firing was a fake encounter.