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All-out efforts to retrieve launch

BERHAMPUR: Indian Navy would use a defence aircraft on Sunday to lift the ill-fated motor launch which was sunk by naxals from Chitrakonda (Balimela) reservoir in Malkangiri district of Orissa.

Speaking to The Hindu over phone from Chitrakonda, Malkangiri SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye said that the East Naval Command chief Nirmal Varma was in Chitrakonda on Saturday to inspect and give final touches to the plans of air lifting of the submerged launch by an aircraft. Mr Gajbhiye said preparations have already started for this major salvage operation of the sunken boat which lying at a depth of around 40 meters.

Since last two days the Navy personnel and their divers are making efforts to take out the launch from the bed of the reservoir. “Taking out the launch is quite important as along with it the bodies of all the rest grey hound commandoes would be recovered along with the recovery of the precious arms of the police force which was also in the boat. Recovery of the boat would also put light on the cause of its sinking to help in future anti-naxal plannings,” Mr Gajbhiye said.

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