Ranchi, January 23: The Jharkhand government on Thursday formed eight-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe into the killing of seven tribals for allegedly protesting the Pathalgadi movement in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The state government asked to submit its first within five days on the findings of the investigation. Chhattisgarh: Seven Naxals Killed by Security Forces in Encounter in Rajnandgaon.

State Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday ordered to form SIT after holding a high-level meeting with Director General of Police (DGP), and other top officers. Yesterday, seven people who were allegedly abducted by Pathalgadi supporters in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district were found dead. The bodies were recovered after 24 hours of a search operation.

The seven tribals went missing after the January 19 meeting conveyed by Pathalgadi supporters. James Bhud, Deputy Pramukh of Gulikela Panchayat along with six villagers, opposed the Pathalgadi supporters. Their family members lodged a complaint on Monday. Hemant Soren Drops Pathalgadi Sedition Cases Against Tribals in a First Move After Taking Oath as Jharkhand CM.

Pathalgadi is a tribal custom in which stone is fixed at a certain place to demarcate the boundary used to protest against the government policies. During the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) government Hundreds of people were booked for supporting Pathalgadi movement. However, after Soren came to power, he withdrew the cases related to Pathalgadi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2020 11:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).