BHUBANESWAR: The fact finding team, which visited Maikanch village of Rayagada district in the aftermath of the firing incident, has filed an affidavit before the Judicial Commission probing into the incident.

Five tribals of Maikanch, including a woman were killed when police opened fire on a mob on December 16, 2000.

The noted social activist, Swami Agnivesh led the team to Maikanch in January this year to ascertain the reasons behind the incident.

The team has also submitted its report to President KR Narayanan.

In its affidavit before the Commission, the team stated that the police in league with some politicians had opened fire on innocent tribals who were protesting in support of their right to live, Agnivesh told this paper.

The team has also submitted that there was no provocation from the side of villagers.

The fact finding team, Agnivesh said, has further stated before the Commission that the district administration of Rayagada failed in its duty to keep the State Government informed from time to time about the developments in the area.

Without holding any individual or organisation responsible for the incident, the team has said that the tribals of Maikanch and the nearby areas in Kasipur block who stand to lose their land to a private company have never been taken into confidence by the State Government.