The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Pall of gloom descends on police quarters

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Friday, Jul 04, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Pall of gloom descends on police quarters

B. Madhu Gopal

Constable Khora’s body retrieved from launch

Chitrakonda, Malkangiri district (Orissa): A pall of gloom descended on the police quarters here on Thrusday as body of Ranjan Kumar Khora was retrieved from the submerged launch. Ranjan, a constable of Orissa police, had gone with the Greyhound party to show them the way as he was conversant with the topography of the area.

The news reached the village (Chitrakonda) faster than the body. His family members rushed to the nearby helipad (school ground) where two coffins were taken to.While one of the bodies was identified as that of Md. Salahuddin of Mahaboobnagar was airlifted by IAF helicopter to the KGH in Visakhapatnam, Ranjan Kumar Khora’s body was taken to the nearby Chitrakonda hospital for conducting an inquest. Ranjan’s wife Dallila and relatives were sent back to the quarters even as the inquest was being conducted.

His son, Ayub Khora and daughter Sagarika Khora, who are studying in Stds. IV and II respectively, stared blankly at the steady stream of visitors, perhaps, not realising the impact of the tragedy that befell their family.

A native of Koraput in Orissa, Ranjan had gone to Chitrakonda in September last year from the Salmi police station in Mathili block. He was an affectionate and friendly person and looked after his family well, said his neighbour. His family was told that Ranjan was kidnapped by Maoists. The family members have been awaiting his return for the last three days with great hopes.

Apart from his wife and kids, Ranjan had shouldered the responsibility of his unemployed brother and sister who are staying in Koraput.

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