The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Nitai killings in Lalgarh area of West Bengal in January this year.
A state CID probe was ordered by the West Bengal government earlier, but the court expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of the investigation.
The court also directed the authorities to assist the CBI in every way in the probe.
“The court order is welcome. Everyone in Nitai village was awaiting it. People there are very happy,” said Trinamool Congress MP Sisir Adhikari, reacting to the verdict.
At least nine villagers were killed and many injured in West Bengal’s volatile Lalgarh area on Jan 7 in a firing blamed on the armed cadres of the ruling communists by the Opposition, evoking outrage and condemnation by various groups.