New Delhi: The Chhattisgarh Government today produced before the Supreme Court six of the 12 persons who had gone missing after filing petitions seeking CBI probe in the killings of over 10 villagers in Dantewada district in anti-naxal operations.
The apex court directed that their statement be recorded by a Delhi district judge in the presence of interpreters as they spoke only tribal Gondi language.
The Bench comprising Justices P Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar said the entire proceeding will have to be videographed and the report has to be placed before it by
tomorrow so that the matter could be taken up in the afternoon.
However, the Bench said that the District judge should record the statement by making it clear and being satisfied that the tribals are not under any pressure and free to make
their statement.
The Bench said the district judge should give specific direction to the Delhi police to ensure protection and security to the six tribals.
At the outset, the bench said it was only concerned at the moment with the protection and security of the six tribals and they should be free to express their views without any
fear.
The apex court, which had come down heavily on the state government on February 8, asked it to locate the missing persons and present them before it.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 15, 2010, 15:10