19 CMAS members acquitted

Koraput: The ADJ First Track court here on Tuesday acquitted 19 members of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) in connection with the Podapadar firing case.

Two CMAS leaders Wadeka Singanna and Nachika Andrew had allegedly died in police firing at Narayanpatna on November 20, 2009.

Earlier police said they resorted to firing to disperse the mob of CMAS activists trying to attack the Narayanpatna police station and had also snatched away fire arms from the police.

CMAS activists however said police had fired on the innocent tribals who gathered at the police station to protest against atrocities of security personnel.