Kalinganagar (Jajpur): Hundreds of tribals assembled at Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district today to observe the 13th death anniversary of 14 tribals who were shot dead in police firing on this day in 2006.
The tribals first offered prayers at Champakoila while observing ‘Saheed Divas’ (Martyrs’ Day) and then a rally was taken out to reach their auspicious place named Veer Bhumi at Ambagadia, where they will perform another set of rituals followed by a meeting. The programme is set to continue till 4 pm.
Meanwhile, the administration beefed up the security measures in Kalinganagar area.
According to reports, the district police were deployed 13 platoons of forces including two magistrates, two DCPs and 20 officers in sensitive places to avoid any untoward incident.
It may be mentioned here that 14 tribals were killed in police firing in Kalinganagar during a protest displacement due to industrialisation and construction of a compound wall of TATA Steel project January 2, 2006.
Hundreds of tribals armed with bows and arrows faced off with some contractors employed by the TATA Company during the protest. However, the situation turned ugly after the irate mob hacked on-duty constable Gopa Mohanty to death.
As a result, the police party opened fire killing 14 tribals. While 14 persons died on the spot, 60 others sustained bullet injuries. Later, two of them succumbed to their injuries. A police constable was also killed in the clash.
Every year on this day, hundreds of tribals gather at Vir Bhumi near Champakoila village in the district to observe the Saheed Diwas (Martyrs’ day) commemorating the death of 14 tribals who were killed during the police firing.
PNN