NOB-Odisha news: Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy stated that the brutal massacre at the Balimela Reservoir where maoists launched an attack and killed 38 people left the police machinery with an enduring sense of anguish. On 17.03.2026, at the DGP’s office, he handed over house site pattas (land title deeds) to the family members of the police personnel who were martyred in the Balimela incident. Speaking on the occasion, the DGP remarked that the incident on June 29, 2008 in which a total of 38 people, including 32 brave commandos from the Greyhounds unit, lost their lives in a sudden Maoist ambush plunged the State Police Department into deep tragedy. State DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy expressed his sorrow, noting that encountering such a massive tragedy within just two months of assuming charge as the DIG of the SIB (Special Intelligence Branch) at that time remains a haunting and bitter memory to this day. He mentioned that the efforts to secure land allocation on the outskirts of Hyderabad driven by the desire to embrace and support the families of those heroes who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty continued for a prolonged period. He expressed his satisfaction that, on 17.03.2026, a conclusion has finally been reached after a long wait spanning nearly 18 years. He further revealed that this issue was resolved and due justice finally delivered to the victims solely because Chief Minister Revanth Reddy took special initiative, driven by a firm resolve to stand in solidarity with the kin of the martyrs. On behalf of the Telangana State Police Department and the family members of the martyrs, the DGP expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for fulfilling the long cherished wish of the martyr’s families after so many years. It is a well known fact that on June 29, 2008, Maoists launched a lightning attack on a launch carrying 60 Greyhounds commandos and police personnel in the Balimela Reservoir near Chitrakonda in the Malkangiri district of Odisha. The launch sank amidst the gunfire and grenade attacks unleashed by the Maoists from the surrounding hills. In this horrific incident, a total of 38 people including 32 Greyhounds commandos lost their lives. In recognition of their sacrifice, the government of that time issued G.O. No. 339 in 2013, allocating house plots of 200 square yards each to the heirs of the martyrs. Initially, two acres of land were allocated under Survey Nos. 23 and 27 in Gajularamaram village, Quthbullapur Mandal. However, due to encroachments on that land, an alternative site comprising 3.10 acres under Survey No. 16 in the same village was identified. Discrepancies between the survey numbers cited in the Government Order (G.O.) and the actual land site on the ground created hurdles in the registration process. Consequently, the martyr’s families were compelled to wait for their title deeds for nearly 13 years. Responding to resolve this issue, the government issued amendment orders (G.O. No. 132) on October 18 of 2025. The land allocation within Survey Number 16 in Gajularamaram has been regularized. Against this backdrop, house site title deeds were officially handed over to 33 beneficiaries the legal heirs by the DGP on 17.03.2026. Speaking first at the event, Greyhounds Additional DGP Anil Kumar noted that the distribution of house sites to the family members of Greyhounds martyrs had been delayed due to various reasons. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Revenue officials for sanctioning the house sites, despite the delays caused by technical issues. Intelligence Additional DGP Vijay Kumar, SIB IGP B. Sumathi, Greyhounds Commander Raghavender Reddy, and Quthbullapur MRO Ashok Kumar participated in the event, alongside the family members of the martyrs. Four officers who demonstrated exceptional merit within the Greyhounds force were awarded the ‘Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal’ (Dakshata Padak) for the year 2024. The DGP congratulated the recipients Group Commander Jajala Raghavender Reddy, Senior Commandos Tippani Rakesh and Udutanuri Mallayya, and Junior Commando Ganta Sai Kumar on being selected for these prestigious awards.