Nagpur: Maharashtra Home Minister Jayant
Patil on Friday ruled out any change in the election schedule in
Naxal-affected areas in the aftermath of yesterday's killing
of 17 policemen in an encounter with Maoist rebels in
Gadchiroli district.
"There will be no rescheduling of the polls in Naxal-hit
areas," Patil, who earlier in the day visited Gadchiroli to
pay homage to the slain policemen, said.
The minister said 35 companies of para military forces
had been deployed in the Naxal-infested areas to assist the
local police in ensuring peace during the October 13 polls.
Dismissing charges of "deliberate delay" in reaching
reinforcements to the scene of encounter at Laheri, Patil said
obstacles were put in the way by Naxalites who placed felled
trees and logs to block the movement of rescue teams.
Patil, who was accompanied by Minister of State for Home
Nitin Raut, said the state government will pay compensation to
the family of the slain policemen as per the new policy post
26/11.
Though he did not quantify the compensation, the legal
heirs of security personnel martyred in the 26/11 terror
strike were given Rs 25 lakh besides petrol pumps or LPG
dealerships.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, October 09, 2009, 19:21