Launch probe into death of tribal man: NHRC

Bhubaneswar: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday asked the director general of police (DGP), Odisha, to probe a case related to the death of a tribal man inside the Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district. The man died on May 31 last year. It issued this direction after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.In the petition, Tripathy said the victim reportedly went into the national park area to search for his missing buffalo. During his movement, he was allegedly shot dead by the forest officials, who suspected him to be a poacher. "The perpetrators reportedly fled from the spot, leaving the body behind," Tripathy added.Taking cognisance of the matter, NHRC, on July 19 last year, directed the state govt to provide requisite reports on this matter. The reports were received, and the matter was referred to the investigation division of the NHRC for analysis of the documents and submission of their report.According to the police report, upon receiving information about the entry of some poachers into the sanctuary, the forest officials had laid an ambush. Apprehending imminent danger from the poachers, the forest officials had fired several rounds.