Kandhamal encounter: Jual Oram points fingers at Odisha government

BHUBANESWAR: Union minister Jual Oram today accused the Odisha government of shielding the culprits behind the killing of five villagers during an anti-Maoist operation in a forest in Kandhamal district.

"They (the state government) have been trying to shield the culprits in the killing of five villagers in Kandhamal. They have committed a blunder," Oram told a local news channel while giving his reaction on the killing of five persons, including two woman and a child during during an anti-Maoist operation on Friday night.

"Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Rameswar Oraon will visit the district tomorrow. Action will be taken after the Centre gets the report," the Union Tribal Affairs Minister said, adding the state government has been trying to cover up the matter. It will be responsible for the consequences.

Rejecting the Union minister's allegation, ruling BJD spokesman PK Deb said "Jual Oram has been trying to do politics over the matter. The chief minister had ordered a judicial probe immediately after knowing about the incident. He has also set up a special investigating team (SIT) to probe the case. What more can Jual Oram do?"

This apart, Patnaik has also announced stringent action against persons found responsible for the killing of the five villagers.

Five villagers, including two women and a child, died when they were caught in a cross fire between security personnel and Maoist in a forest in Kandhamal district on the night of July 8.