SIT and team of bureaucrats visit Kandhamal district

The SIT set up to investigate the killing of five persons during anti-Maoist operations in Kandhamal district today visited the district even as the Odisha government rushed four senior bureaucrats to take stock of the development activities in the area.
The SIT headed by Additional Director General of Police, Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) Mahendra Pratap and other members visited Kandhamal district and interacted with police officials on how the incident took place.
"We will have a camp at Baliguda to probe into the matter. The SIT will meet the affected people and jawans involved in the anti-maoist operation," Pratap told reporters.

Meanwhile, facing criticism from different quarters over backwardness of villages in Kandhamal district, Odisha government today rushed four senior bureaucrats to Baliguda area of the district, where five persons were killed during anti-Maoist operations, to take sock of the development activities in the area.
The area's backwardness came to the fore in the wake of killing of five persons from Gumudumaha village under Baliguda block during an anti-Maoist operation on the night of July 8.
The Secretaries' team comprised M S Padhi (Rural Development), Aarati Ahuja (Health and Family Welfare), R K Verma (Energy) and N K Pradhan (Works), a district official said.

The officers attended a meeting held at Baliguda and reviewed the projects of Kandhamal in general and Parampanga Gram Panchayat which comprised Gumudumaha village, in particular, the official said.

The meeting unanimously resolved that Gumudimaha village was much backward in all fronts and minimum facility is yet to be provided.
The meeting decided to initiate all possible steps to be taken for sustained development, particularly in the field of communication, electrification, health and others.
It was also decided that solar water supply facility will be provided to these villages within 10 days, an estimate would soon be prepared to construct a 'pucca' road from Balliguda to Gumudumaha village, existing electrification system will be strengthened under 'Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electricity' programme, regular health camp and free distribution of medicines will also be provided to all the villagers in the locality on priority basis.