Judicial probe ordered into Orissa clash

The Orissa government today ordered a judicial probe into yesterday's violent clash between tribals and police at upcoming industrial hub Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district as the situation in the area continued to be tense. Thirteen persons were killed in the clash.

The probe will be conducted by a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court.

Meanwhile, angry villagers from surrounding areas stopped work at the Jindal Stainless and Mesco Steel plants located in the Kalinga Nagar Industrial Complex.

About 500 tribals who had blocked the Daitari-Paradip highway with four bodies since Monday evening, continued their sit-in at the Madhuban crossing today.

They lifted the blockade only in the evening after discussions with the district administration. But with the agitators cutting the highway off at two points near Kalinga Nagar, the movement of vehicles was hampered.

District Collector of Jajpur Saswat Mishra confirmed the death of 13 persons, including a policeman, in yesterday's clash. While six

tribals had died at the spot in police firing, two had succumbed to bullet injuries at the SCB medical college, Cuttack. Besides, four bodies were carried away by a retreating mob when the police opened fire.

On yesterday's incident, Mishra said though the administration tried to negotiate with the marauding tribals who had laid seize to the proposed plant site of Tata Steel at Kalinga Nagar, opposing start of earth work by the company and demanding higher compensation for the land, they had spurned all offers.

The situation got out of control with armed tribals attacking the police with stones and arrows. One policeman was hacked to death by the mob.

He said curfew that was imposed in several parts of the town had been lifted this morning. "The administration is maintaining a close watch on the situation."

Agitating tribals have demanded a compensation of at least Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in police firing. They also demanded action against the district collector and the superintendent of police, "holding them responsible for the incident".

Earlier in the day, the tribals had refused to lift the road blockade until Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the spot and discussed the issue with them.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner Nikunja Sundarray and Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order) BB Mishra were camping at the site of the incident.