Gumudumaha firing: Inquiry Panel holds 10th phase hearing of witnesses

Phulbani: The 10th phase hearing on the Gumudumaha firing incident in Kandhamal district was held at Phulbani district court today. Witnesses presented their statements before the Justice Janab Mohammed Ajmal Commission of Inquiry.

While two witnesses shared their experience of the incident and were also cross-examined, 20 affidavits were filed before the Commission.

Talking to mediapersons, petitioner's advocate Khayamasagar Pradhan said, "11 affidavits on behalf of the victim villagers had been filed before the Commission. Today in the 10th phase, the witnesses who had filed the last two affidavits, John Majhi and Banamali Mallik, presented their version and completed the deposition procedure from our side."

Special Public Prosecutor Bijay Pattanaik said, "Two witnesses, auto driver John Majhi who was driving the auto during the incident and an injured victim Banamali Mallik, deposed before the Commission today. Their advocate informed the court that deposition from their side is over."

On July 8, 2016, five persons, including two women and a child, were killed, and seven others injured in an incident of ‘crossfire’ during an anti-Maoist operation in the district.