BHUBANESWAR: AS the killings of six innocent tribals by security forces in Kandhamal provoked outrage across the State, leaders of political parties have made a beeline for the tribal dominated backward district to draw political mileage.
After a delegation of State BJP leaders visited the terror-stricken Gumudumaha village, national BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday announced that a delegation of the BJP Parliamentary party will visit Kandhamal.
A three-member team, comprising Ramvichar Netam, Jyoti Dhurve and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe will visit Kandhamal to probe the killings of tribals by security personnel during an anti-Naxalite operation.
Meanwhile, Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Rameswar Oraon arrived in the City on the day.
Soon after his arrival, Oraon, accompanied by NCST Secretary Anil Agarwal and Director RK Dubey, left for Kandhamal to take a stock of the situation.
“We will inquire into the circumstances that led to the death of the tribals. We will look into certain aspects like what information the police had regarding the movement of ultras and whether this incident could have been avoided,” Oraon told reporters.
The NCST team will also meet family members of the deceased. Oraon is scheduled to meet senior Government officers, including Chief Secretary Aditya Padhi, Director-General of Police KB Singh and Home Secretary Asit Tripathy on Wednesday here.
On the day, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram met the injured persons in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
Coming down heavily on the ruling BJD over the Kandhamal incident, Oram said it is unfortunate that neither Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik nor the DGP has visited the families of the deceased or the injured persons undergoing treatment. Oram said necessary action will be taken after getting the report from NCST Chairman.
The State Government will be responsible for the consequences as it is trying to cover up the issue, he cautioned.