Bhawanipatna(Kalahandi), Feb 5: Journalist Rohit Biswal died on duty when he walks on a landmine planted by the Maoists exploded on Karlakhunta Bridge in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on Saturday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directs the State Police and The State Journalists Welfare Board to give a sum of Rs. 13 Lakh ex-gratia to the bereaved family.
Odisha State Media Advisor, Manas Mangaraj has informed about the CM’s direction. As per information the State Police will give Rs. 9 lakh and the rest Rs. 4 lakh will be given from Journalists Welfare Board, Odisha.
Rohit Biswal, a native of Mohangiri village, was a correspondent of the Regional Odia Daily- “Dharitri” and had reportedly gone to the spot after getting information about a Maoist poster having been put up near the Karlakhunta bridge, appealing to the villagers to boycott the Panchayat elections in the area.
The landmines suddenly exploded killing him on the spot, while he was covering the report.
The spot has been cordoned off by security forces and a bomb diffusing team.
A joint team of CRPF and police have also begun a probe, sources said.
