Chhattisgarh Naxal attack an act of terror: Shinde

Zee Media Bureau

Raipur: Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who visited Chhattisgarh on Friday, five days after the deadly Naxal attack here, said that there will be a thorough probe into the incident to ascertain if there were any lapse in the security. Addressing reporters, Shinde said, “The incident should not be repeated, that’s what we want. There will be a complete inquiry into the incident.” The Home Minister also stated that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will also conduct an inquiry into the gruesome attack by the Naxalis. Shinde regretted that the Congress party lost several of its top rung leaders in the deadly attack and equated the incident with an act of terrorism. “The NIA has already begun the probe into the security lapse. The Naxal attack is bigger than an act of terrorism. We have given instructions that the probe should come out with the truth.” Cautioning that there should be no politics over such a sensitive issue, the Home Minister said, “There should no politics, we should fight the situation and give a proper reply to the Naxals.” He also assured that the Centre and other central probe agencies will work together with the Chhattisgarh government in tackling the Naxal situation. Shinde made this remark five days after an unprecedented attack by Naxals wiped out the top Congress leadership in the Bastar district. His own party has expressed reservations over his extended stay in the US following the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. On his arrival in New Delhi on Thursday, Shinde explained he was consulting an eye doctor. The Home Minister told reporters here that he had an appointment with an eye specialist on May 28 and he returned to the country soon after. Shinde said he had received permission to stay in the US till May 29. The Home Minister said political leaders working to strengthen democracy in the Maoist affected areas will be provided security. Shinde condemned the attack by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh in which 28 people, including two senior state Congress leaders were killed. Asked why he did not condemn the Maoist attack through a statement, Shinde said he was in regular touch with Home Ministry officials and did not feel the need for issuing any statement from the US. He said the government had information that the Maoists may try to target urban centres. Asked if he shared the view that the Bharatiay Janata Party government in the state had failed to protect the Congress leaders, Shinde said a judicial inquiry was on. He said the National Investigation Agency was also probing the incident. He said the government may have to review its counter strategy according to changing tactics of the Maoists. Shinde had drawn flak from his party colleagues for staying in the US even after the May 25 strike on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh.