Journalist killed in IED blast near Maoist poster in Kalahandi Condolences Pour In as Veteran Journalist Rohit Biswal
Odishabarta
Berhampur: A journalist was killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast while taking visuals of posters put up by suspected Maoists in Kalahandi district on Saturday, police said.
The incident occurred when Rohit Biswal (43), working with an Odia daily, was trying to go near a poster, put up by suspected Maoists, warning people not to vote in the coming panchayat polls at Mohangiri village in Madanpur-Rampur block of the district.
Kalahandi SP Saravana Vivek M said, “Whenever such posters are seen, the police have an SOP (standard operating procedure) to deal with the situation as there is a possibility of IEDs being planted there targeting security forces. Our team was alerted but before we reached the spot, the unfortunate incident happened.”
The journalist reached near the tree before police personnel searched the area with a metal detector for planted IEDs and died on the spot after the explosion, he said.
Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division (CPI-Maoist) had put up posters near Karlakhunta bridge at Madanpur Rampur. In the posters, the Maoists have appealed to the people to boycott the upcoming panchayat polls and demanded disengagement of CRPF in the area.
A joint team of CRPF and police have begun a probe, sources said. The slain journalist is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 13 lakh as ex gratia for his family. While the Odisha Police will provide Rs 9 lakh, the remaining Rs 4 lakh will be given from the Journalist Welfare Fund, said Manas Mangaraj, the media adviser to the State Government.
“There is no place for violence in democracy. I strongly condemn the incident and the State Government will take stern action against the persons involved in the killing of the journalist,” the Chief Minister stated. He also expressed condolence towards the family members of Biswal.
BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda also condoled the killing. “Very sad at the murder of journalist Rohit Biswal by Maoists in Odisha. All you idealist young students and liberals, know that leftists have killed nearly 100 m people, by far the most in history. Remember this when you hear anyone praise the Left or say Lal Salaam. Om Shanti,” he stated.
Paying condolences, Press Club Berhampur organised a candle rally at Gandhi Chowk in City. All scribes from different platform have took activate participation.Supertiendent of Police Pinak MIshra including all police officers under Berhampur Police,MLA Berhampur Bikram Panda joined the candle rally.
SP,Mishra said, “Biswal left us too soon, his dynamic Journalist activity a milestone amongst the scribers era. He leave behind an inspiring range of work. With his sad demise my heartfelt Condolences to family and friends. Om Shanti.”
