PIL in HC seeks CBI probe into Kandhamal killings

Cuttack: Alleging gross inaction on the part of the Odisha government in the tragic death of five innocent villagers who were killed during an anti-Maoists operation inside Malapanga forest near Kurtamgarh in Kandhamal district in the night on July 8, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Odisha High Court today demanding a CBI probe into the incident.

Though 12 days have already passed since the incident took place, no one has been arrested so far, RTI activist Sunil Kumar Rath pointed out while praying to the court to urgently intervene in the matter and order a CBI probe into the incident.

The petitioner also prayed to the court to direct the state government to provide adequate compensation to the family members of the deceased and a government job to one member of each family.

The PIL has made the CBI, state Home secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), DIG, Southern Range and Kandhamal SP as parties in the case.