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Chilka firing puts Gomang in a spot

Though Chief minister Giridhar Gomang didn't waste time in ordering a judicial probe into the police firing last Saturday which killed three fishermen and left many injured, his government continues to face flak on the issue.

The heaviest seems to be from within the government itself. The report of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner is categorical that the incident was a result of administrative and intelligence failure.

The RDC, central division, who was asked by the CM to present his report on the firing in Soreno village on the Chilka lake within 24 hours, is quite unequivocal in condemning the role of the collector and the superintendent of police of Khurda district.

The collector has been already transferred and action is soon to be taken against the SP. The agitating fishermen are demanding their arrest for murder.

In addition to the RDC report the statement of the minister of state for home affairs Prasad Harichandan has also queered the pitch for the government. Harichandan who visited the place soon after the incident vowed to complete the eviction of the gheris (prawn farms) within seven days failing which he has resolved to resign.

Thus the Chilka episode is already proving to be a major blot on the 100-day tenure of Gomang. The government's dilly-dallying on the prawn farm issue points clearly to a nexus between the politicians and the prawn mafia.

UNI

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