The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that the country will never bow-down before naxalism which he called as a great challenge to the nation.
Speaking in Raipur Dr. Singh said that Saturday's naxal attack in Chhatisgarh will be treated as an inspiration in our fight against extremism and violence.
The Prime Minister and Congress President Sonia Gandhi flew to Raipur this morning and immediately visited the seriously injured people at the hospital.
The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of those killed in the Maoist attack. He also announced Rs. 50 thousand exgratia to each of the injured in the incident from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
The Congress President appreciating the bravery of courage of Congress leaders in Chhatisgarh said that the history of the Congress is evident of the fact that it has faced challenges and given sacrifices. She said that all concerned have been directed to provide best possible supoourt to the affected people.
Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi took stock of the situation and reviewed the security arrangements in Chhatisgarh at a high level meeting at Raj Bhawan in Raipur on Sunday.
State Governor Shekhar Dutt, chief minister Raman Singh, chief secretary Sunil Kumar and other senior civil and police officials attended the meeting.
Before leaving for New Delhi Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi paid homage to Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Nandkumar Patel and his son Dinesh at the Swani Vivekanand Airport at Raipur.
AIR correspondent Vikalp shukla reports that the bodies of the slain Congress leader and his son, which were brought to Raipur, were flown to Patel’s native village Nandeli in Raigarh district.
Meanwhile, the state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into Saturday’s Bastar killings.
State DG Police Ram Niwas said in New Delhi on Sunday evening that 24 people including senior congress leaders were killed and more 30 people were critically injured in Saturday's Moaists attack in Bastar district.
