Orissa govt constitutes commission to probe killing of prisoners by tribal mob

However, the entire Opposition staged an walkout during the Chief Minister’s reply alleging that he was not able to present the facts in the House. The Opposition members frequently interrupted the speech of the Chief Minister demanding that he should announce the steps taken by the Government on the matter.

Making a statement in response, the Chief Minister said that the terms of reference of the one man commission will be changed suitably. The commission will ascertain the agencies which were behind the Ranalai incident, he added.

Gamang also announced an administrative probe to be conducted by the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Southern division on the incident. The RDC has been asked to probe into the lapses which have been noticed leading to this unfortunate incident and submit his report within three weeks.

Announcing that police investigation will be expedited to bring all the culprits into book, the Chief Minister said that the civil administration has been alerted to take all necessary measures to check recurrence of such incidents in future. He said that a temporary police outpost will function at Ranalai village with immediate effect to instill a sense of security among the people.

The Chief Minister concurred with the Opposition charge that intelligence has failed. He said that he has initiated corrective measures to change the situation.

Stating that the situation was now well under control and close watch is being maintained in the locality, the Chief Minister said that the police strength has been augmented. A police officer in the rank of Inspector General (IG) has been deputed to supervise the arrangements, he added.

Gamang said that emergency relief was provided to the affected people on March 16 and 17. He said that four temporary sheds are under construction to provide night shelter to the homeless families. He said that three persons who were injured in firing from country made guns are now out of danger. As many as 27 persons including 25 Hindus have been arrested, he added.

Pressing for the motion, Opposition members, however, came down heavily on the Government for its total failure to check communal violence in the state. Bijay Mahapatra (BJD) alleged that the Ranalai incident has exposed the fact that the Chief Minister had no control over the administrative machinery. Mahapatra wondered how can Gamang provide a responsive government to the people when the district administration did not take any action at Ranalai for a week between March 8 and March 17 even though tension was mounting.

Criticising the Chief Minister for ignoring the recommendations of the House committee which had probed the R Udaygiri incident, Mahapatra asked what steps has the Government taken on the report. Mahapatra warned that unless the Government takes preventive measures there will be repetition of such incidents at other places.

Stating that failure of the administration led to the incident, Nalini Kanta Mahanty (JD) alleged that it was a pre-planned conspiracy to defame Orissa outside the State. Arun Dey (Ind) alleged that communal forces have made Orissa their laboratory.

Ashok Das (JD) wanted to know whether any Union minister and an Italian missionary had visited the village. There was heated exchange of words between the Congress and the BJP members with the former alleging that the VHP and Bajrang Dal were behind the incident. The BJP members refuted the charges.

Hemananda Biswal (Congress) alleged that the call given by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for cultural nationalism had encouraged the front organisations of BJP to carry out their communal agenda. He wanted to know whether the Union Minister for Transport Dr Debendra Pradhan and the State unit president of BJP Jual Oram had visited the village. He also criticised the district administration for its lapses.