Angry Kandhas kill CRPF jawan

The tribe is angry over police excesses in Kandhamal following anti-Christian riots

BHUBANESWAR: The Kandhas of Orissa, angry with the police for the crackdown on the tribe after the recent anti-Christian violence in the state, killed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan at Sashipanga village under Raikia Police Station in Kandhamal district on Monday night.

Buxi Singh, 45, of Punjab had gone to the village with jawan Laxmikant Sahu from their camp at Gundhani village to procure chicken.

Buxi was working as a sweeper in the Delta-175 battalion posted at Durbrigada in Assam. After VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was killed on August 23, the battalion was deployed in Kandhamal.

As the jawans entered the village on Monday night, a group attacked them. While Sahu, who is a driver, managed to escape to the camp, Buxi was killed.

Confirming the killing, deputy inspector general of police RP Koche said a massive manhunt had been launched for the accused.

“Senior officials, including district collector Krishan Kumar and superintendent of police Praveen Kumar, have rushed to the site to take stock of the situation,” he said.

Locals claimed the tribals attacked the jawans because they are angry with the police crackdown. Earlier, a similar attempt was made on another CRPF jawan.

Meanwhile, the Kandhas, who held a meeting in Kandhamal on Tuesday, adopted a resolution against police excesses on the tribe.

“The Orissa government must initiate steps to check police excesses,” their leader Lambodar Kanhar said.

subhashish_m@yahoo.com