Hyderabad: House site pattas given to families of slain Greyhounds commandos

DGP B Shivadhar Reddy handed over house site pattas to families of police personnel martyred in the 2008 Balimela Maoist attack, stating that the long-pending issue of land allocation has been resolved after nearly 18 years.

Hyderabad: Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy on Tuesday handed over house site pattas (title deeds) to the family members of police personnel who were martyred in the Balimela incident in Odisha in June 2008.

Speaking on the occasion, the DGP recalled the tragic incident of June 29, 2008, in which 38 personnel, including 32 Greyhounds commandos, lost their lives in a sudden Maoist attack.

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“The brutal massacre at the Balimela Reservoir, where Maoists attacked and killed 38 personnel, continues to remain a deeply painful memory for the police fraternity,” said Shivadhar Reddy.

He said that the tragedy occurred within two months of his assuming charge as DIG, Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), and remains a haunting memory to this day. He further noted that persistent efforts were made over the years to secure land allocation on the outskirts of Hyderabad, with the objective of extending support and recognition to the families of the martyrs. The DGP expressed satisfaction that a long-pending issue spanning nearly 18 years has finally been resolved.

It may be recalled that on June 29, 2008, Maoists carried out a sudden and intense attack on a launch carrying around 60 Greyhounds commandos and police personnel in the Balimela Reservoir near Chitrakonda in Malkangiri district of Odisha. The launch sank following heavy gunfire and grenade attacks from Maoists positioned on the surrounding hills. In this tragic incident, 38 personnel, including 32 Greyhounds commandos, lost their lives.