Bhawanipatna: A team of investigating officials led by a retired judge of Supreme Court visited various villages under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district and Niyamagiri area of Rayagada district to probe the incidents of human rights violation.
They interacted with the families of victims who were allegedly killed or physically and mentally tortured by para-military force jawans.
The team members included retired judge of Supreme Court justice Koles Patil, senior advocate of Jharkhand Damodar Turi, Orissa High Court senior advocate Prashant Jena, Maharashtra Bharat Janseva Andolan chief Mahesh Rawat, Posco Andolan chief Prashant Paikray, Niyamagiri Andolan leaders Lingaraj Azad and Satya Mahar and Kashipur Andolan chief Bhagaban Majhi.
They visited Dangamati village where Class-VIII student Manda Kardaka was killed by the jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force. They interacted with his mother Bengari Kardaka and other family members.
They later visited Lachinguda village and interacted with the families of Baka Jakosika and Dashru Majhi, who have been lodged in jail after police arrested them by branding them as Maoists.
They later met the families of Tela Kerkera, Nepal Takri and Bali Kerkera of Dengani village; Dadhi Pusika of Dengamati village, Lada Sikaka of Lakhapadar village, Dilu Sikaka and Padmanabh Choudhury of Talberi village; and Denjo Dangiri of Lakhapadar village.
Tribal leader Lingaraj Azad said the probe team will submit its report to the Central government and file a public interest litigation with the Supreme Court.
It may be mentioned here that there are a number of allegations that Dongria Kondhs are being tortured by the police and paramilitary force jawans during combing operations. At many instances, innocent Dongrias were branded as Maoists and lodged in jails for no fault of theirs. PNN
