Suryakant Jena

Bhubaneswar: Days after the death of Doordarshan video journalist, Achyutananda Sahu in an ambush by Maoists, politicians continue to make a beeline at his house to offer their condolences, but no one till now has offered any helping hand to the bereaved family which lost its sole bread-earner.

Achyutananda had promised that he would take his mother to Delhi to see a better doctor for her kidney treatment. But his untimely death has shattered her hopes while the condition of his wife is inconsolable.

"Odisha government has not given us any help and I am worried for my family. How will we sustain when we have lost our bread earner. The loss of my son is devastating," Achyutananda's mother said while breaking down in tears.

Achyutananda might not have been on nation's duty, but the Chhattisgarh government did not forget to recognise him as a martyr and the Centre has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh for the kin of the deceased.

But there has been no help from the Odisha government barring a tweet from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Bolangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo who met the family members of Achyutananda also did not assure them of any specific assistance. He only assured to speak with the CM for financial assistance.

"His father is old and mother is ailing. They are going through a difficult phase. I will request the CM for special and long term assistance," Singh Deo said.

Bolangir PD-DRDA, Maheswar Swain said till now there has been no announcement of any assistance from the government. But if they declare any assistance, we will immediately provide them help.

Meanwhile, 'Odisha Hinsamukta Abhiyan' has condemned the killings of the Maoists and threatened to give a befitting reply to the left wing extremists by pasting anti-naxal posters at several places in Chitrakonda and Kalimela.

Earlier yesterday, the ultras had clarified through a statement that the attack on Achyutananda Sahu was not intentional.

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