Probe into civilian deaths in Naxal encounter

Following the death of two civilians during an encounter when the security forces gunned down six uniformed Naxalites in Mahasamund district

Following the death of two civilians during an encounter when the security forces gunned down six uniformed Naxalites in Mahasamund district the Chhattisgarh government on Monday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh each,besides assuring other help to the families of the victims. State Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar and Agriculture and Labour Minister Chandra Shekhar Sahu rushed to Ledgidip village in Mahasamund district,close to Raipur,to meet the villagers,who alleged that the Special Task Force STF personnel forced their entry into the house and opened fire at Gautam Patel and Dauram Sidar,killing them on the spot.

The incident took place on Saturday when the police encircled a group of Naxalites in uniform in Mahasamund districts Padkipali village,resulting in a fierce encounter with the rebels. The police maintained that the civilians were caught in the crossfire when the Maoists tried to use them as a shield.

However,the family members of the victims told the ministers that the security personnel chased the rebels,who fled in different directions. A woman Naxalite caught hold of Dauram Sidar,who was passing by,and entered the house of Gautam Patel in her bid to escape. Subsequently,STF personnel forcibly entered the house and opened fire,killing Gautam Patel on the spot. Later,the security personnel also shot the villager and the woman Naxal dead.

After meeting the family members of the deceased,the ministers announced to provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to their families. Patels minor son will be appointed as boy orderly while the state government would bear all medical expenses of a thalassemia patient,who is a close relative of deceased Dauram Sidar, Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar said. Boy orderlies are appointed under a provision of Police Regulation Act that empowers superintendents of police to appoint a certain number of boys under the age of 18.

Even while serving the force as boy orderly,the child can go to school and later could be absorbed in regular force after he obtains the prescribed qualification.

Saturdays encounter was the first incident of its kind in Mahasamund district which has been not classified as a Naxal-hit district so far.