Bhubaneswar, Feb. 10 -- The Odisha Human Rights Commission has ordered the state government to constitute a high-level probe to examine serious violations of statutory safeguards and human rights in relocation of people from villages around Satkosia Tiger Reserve, and has directed that no further relocation be undertaken from buffer, fringe or ringed-out villages of the reserve until forest rights are fully recognised and valid gram sabha resolutions are obtained.

The panel was responding to complaints filed by Nabakishore Bisoi, president of Satkosia Abhayaranya and Praja Suraksha Samiti, along with other affected persons, challenging the legality and voluntariness of the relocation process from villages Bhurukundi, Asanbahal, Kataranga...