By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 11, 2016 : Faced with criticism from opposition and civil society, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday ordered for a Special Investigation Team probe by the State Human Rights Protection Cell into the Kandhamal firing which claimed five lives of tribals and Dalits on Friday night.

Patnaik held a review meeting here where top officials including police personnel participated in it.

“For a thorough and impartial probe into the incident, I have directed that the investigation of the case will be done by a Special Investigation Team of the State Human Rights Protection Cell to be monitored and supervised by an officer of the rank of Additional DG. If anyone found of negligent conduct after probe, we shall take stringent action. I have also directed DG Police to have a detailed review and apply required correctives so that such incident is not repeated in future in anti-Naxalite operations,” the chief minister told media persons here after the review meeting.

“The Kandhamal issue is most unfortunate incident and my government has taken it very seriously. My government is always concerned for the ST, SC and the deprived sections of the society,” Patnaik added.

Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Home Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy, DG Police KB Singh and Director, Intelligence Sunil Roy were present in the meeting.