NCSC chairman to visit Kandhamal today

Bhubaneswar: A day after the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Rameswar Oraon visited Kandhamal to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of six tribals during an alleged exchange of fire between security personnel and Maoists inside Malapanga forest in the district on July 8, chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Dr PL Punia will visit the district today for an on-the-spot investigation into the incident.

Officials sources said Punia will arrive at Biju Patnaik International airport in Bhubaneswar at 9.15 AM. From the airport, he will proceed to Kandhamal by road and arrive at the district headquarters at 5 PM. From there, he will go to Gumudumaha village and meet the SC families of the deceased before returning to Bhubaneswar and spend the night halt at the State Guest House. He will leave for Delhi at 10.15 AM the next day.

The visit of Punia was finalised after he was briefed by PCC president Prasad Harichandan and AICC general secretary BK Hariprasad about the incident in New Delhi a day after the incident.

It has been reported that three of the deceased belonged to the Scheduled Caste.