Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced Rs 13 lakh ex-gratia to be paid to the family of journalist Rohit Kumar Biswal, who was killed in a landmine blast suspected to be planted by Maoists in Madanpur Rampur of Kalahandi district today.
While Rs 9 lakh out of the ex-gratia amount will be paid by the State Police, Rs 4 lakh will be paid from the Journalists’ Welfare Fund.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered for the immediate release of the ex-gratia amount to the next of kin of Biswal, informed Media Advisor to the State Government Manas Mangaraj.
Biswal who was on assignment to report appearance of Maoist posters near Dulen Chhak on Karlakhunta-Manikera road was killed on the spot in a landmine blast.
