Jajpur,Jan 01: Security measures have been tightened in Kalinganagar area of Jajpur district ahead of 13th anniversary of Kalinganagar firing incident tomorrow.

According to reports, the district police have deployed 13 platoons of forces including two magistrates, two DCPs and 20 officers in sensitive places to avoid any untoward incident.

It may be mentioned here that 14 tribals were killed in police firing in Kalinganagar during a protest against the construction of a compound wall of TATA Steel project on January 2, 2006.

Hundreds of tribals armed with bows and arrows faced off with some contractors employed by the TATA Company during the protest. However, the situation turned ugly after the irate mob hacked on-duty constable Gopa Mohanty to death.

As a result, the police party opened fire killing 14 tribals and injuring over hundreds of people.

Every year on this day, hundreds of tribals gather at Vir Bhumi near Champakoila village in the district to observe the Saheed Diwas (Martyrs’ day) commemorating the death of 14 tribals who were killed during the police firing.