Orissa CM announces Rs8 lakh ex-gratia to kin of slain personnel

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced an ex-gratia of Rs8 lakh and an insurance sum of Rs10 lakh to the kin of those security personnel killed in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly act of Maoists... it is savage and unlawful," Patnaik said in a statement.     

At least ten security personnel were killed in the blast at Tanginiguda area of Koraput district when a van carrying jawans of elite anti-Naxalite Special Operation Group (SOG) was returning from an operation from adjacent Malkangiri district.

The chief minister said one member of the family of each of the victims will be provided jobs while their widows will be entitled to get their salary till their retirement age. 

A massive combing operation has been launched in the area to nab the naxals while senior police officials including the director general of police (Intelligence) have rushed to the site, he said.