Two Jharkhand villagers, mistaken for Maoists, shot dead by police

IANS Ranchi

Last Updated : Sep 03 2014 | 6:05 PM IST

Jharkhand Police Wednesday killed two villagers, whom they mistook as Maoists, prompting Chief Minister Hemant Soren to order a probe.

Four people were also critically injured in the incident that took place in Gumla district.

Police tried to stop a truck but the driver did not stop, prompting police to fire assuming them as Maoists.

Driver Herralal Oraon and Nelesh Oraon, a labourer, were killed in the incident.

Earlier, police claimed that the people were killed in cross-firing between the Maoists and police.

Soren ordered a "probe in the killing of the two people and termed the incident as unfortunate", the state government said in a statement.

"The commissioner of South Chotanagpur and inspector general of police will probe the incident and submit the report," it added.

The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs.10 lakh to the kin of each of those killed and Rs.1 lakh to the kin of each injured.

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