State crime branch to probe Koraput landmine blast

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Thursday ordered the crime branch to probe the Maoist-triggered landmine blast in Koraput that killed eight police personnel on Wednesday.
“The DGP gave the crime branch order. The crime branch’s special task force unit will investigate into the circumstances leading to the tragedy. The CB will also find out the nature of explosives used to blow up the police vehicle and whether standard operating procedure was followed by the police during their movement in the Maoist-infested pocket,” special director (intelligence) Arun Sarangi told TOI.
A total of 13 constables were on their way from Koraput to Bhubaneswar to undergo a training programme when Maoists triggered the landmine blast on NH-26 near Sunki. The tragedy left the police on their toes in view of ensuing Panchayat elections across the state. It will be a test for the police to ensure hassle-free rural polls, scheduled between February 13 and 21, in the state, mostly in the Naxal-infested districts. The Maoists recently threatened to sabotage the polls and warned voters to shun the elections.