Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Chhattisgarh today to take stock of the situation after yesterday’s Maoists attack. The death toll in the attack rose to 14 as one more CRPF jawan succumbed to injuries. Maoists ambushed a joint team of security forces yesterday in the Chintagufa area of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. Two officers of CRPF, a Deputy Commandant and an Assistant Commandant, were among the dead. According to CRPF officials, Maoists fired at the CRPF personnel using the cover of locals and villagers. Maoists ambushed the team when the security personnel were returning to their camp after combing and area domination operation in the region that lasted for about fifteen days. As many as fifteen jawans were injured in the attack. The condition of three injured jawans is reported to be critical. Our correspondent reports that reinforcements are being sent to the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi have condemned the Maoists attack on security forces. Mr Modi in a tweet said that words are not enough to deplore the brutal and inhuman attack by anti-national elements. Saluting the courageous CRPF personnel, he said that his thoughts are with the families of those who lost their loved ones. The Prime Minister talked to Mr Rajnath Singh and Mr Raman Singh in this regard. Mr. Modi said that situation is being monitored closely. Mr. Rajnath Singh termed the attack as an act of cowardice. He spoke to the Chief Minister and the DGP of the state and asked them to monitor the situation in the area. Condemning the senseless act of violence, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said the Government should thoroughly investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh government has also decided to mount pressure on Maoists after yesterday’s attack and steps are being taken in this direction. Additional force is being sent to the area. Search operations have been intensified to find out the Maoists involved in the attack. Chief Minister Raman Singh had convened an emergency meeting of the senior officers of Police, CRPF and Intelligence department and reviewed the situation last night. A work plan has also been formulated to deal with the Maoist problem.
