Gadchiroli Naxal attack: Govt says SOP not followed, suspends police officer

The Maharashtra government Friday suspended a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), admitting that "none of" the laid-down procedures were followed which led to the May 1 Naxal attack in Gadchiroli district in which 15 police personnel were killed.

The suspension of Shailesh Kale, the SDPO of Kurkheda in Gadchiroli district, was announced in the Legislative Council by Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not followed which led to the Naxal attack and the heavy casualties, the minister said.

Kale had allegedly ordered the police team to travel to a location in the Naxal-affected district. On their way the police personnel, who were travelling in a private vehicle, came under attack.

As many as 15 personnel and the private vehicle's driver were killed when Naxals triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) blast.

Kesarkar made the announcement about Kale's suspension after Prakash Gajbhiye (Congress) raised the issue of Naxal menace ...