Kandhamal violence: Shutdown called off

The shutdown called by the opposition parties-the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress-in Odisha's Kandhamal district to protest against the killing of five tribals has been called off.

Normal life was hit hard as business establishments, schools and offices remained closed and vehicles went off the roads. The streets wore a deserted look as the people preferred to remain indoors.

The Odisha Government has ordered to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the killings during an exchange of fire between the security personnel and Maoists on Friday night.

In an endeavour to ensure a thorough and impartial probe into the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed that an investigation of the case by an SIT of the State Human Rights Protection Cell be monitored and supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional Director General.

Earlier, the state government had ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

The Odisha Human Rights Commission yesterday served notices to the state Home Secretary, DGP and others directing them to submit a detailed probe report on the incident.

Scheduled Tribe Commission chairman Rameswar Oraon will on Tuesday visit Kandhamal to probe the incident.