Dantewada massacre: Probe finds command failure

The inquiry panel into the Dantewada massacre is likely to hold the Deputy Commandant who was leading the 82-member CRPF team responsible.

The inquiry by the E N Rammohan committee into the Dantewada massacre is likely to hold the Deputy Commandant who was leading the 82-member CRPF team responsible for command and control failure and violation of standard operating procedures.

The report is likely to fault the Chhattisgarh police for lack of cohesiveness,failure to fully support the Central paramilitary forces in anti-Naxal operations in the state. It will impress upon the Centre and states the need to respect tribal rights and not allow rampant industrialisation in tribal areas.

On April 6,Naxals killed 76 securitymen,75 of them from the CRPF,in Dantewada district.

Top government sources told The Indian Express that former BSF Director General Rammohan completed his inquiry on Wednesday evening. He is likely to submit the findings to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram as early as tomorrow though he had been given time till April 25.

Rammohan met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday and had a one-on-one meeting,discussing anti-Naxal operations.

While the contents of the inquiry report are classified,Rammohan has recommended a string of steps to bring Chhattisgarh tribals on board with anti-Naxal operations. He is learnt to have suggested that the state government refrain from signing more MoUs with industries in tribal areas.

Sources said he found that the task given to the personnel of the CRPF 62 Battalion was a joint operation that had the concurrence of senior state police officials but local police support was less than desired.

Story continues below this ad

This negates the claim of a Chhattisgarh IG who on April 6 said that the CRPF was operating solo. State police support to the CRPF patrol party was headed by a head constable. It is learnt that the inquiry found lack of cohesiveness among the state police the Dantewada DIG and his SP were not exactly functioning as a unit.

The inquiry found evidence that the CRPF team did not stick to the earmarked patrol task with specific grid references,made its own rules by moving in and around the area where they were finally attacked by the Naxals.