Ranchi, Apr 08: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda today condemned the landmine blast that killed 20 policemen in west Singhbhum and said the Naxalites were trying to disrupt the democracy through violence. "It seems the incident was triggered by the MCC cadres who want to disrupt the elections. But they will not succeed in their designs," Munda told reporters before flying to Gua where the incident had occurred last evening.
Director General of Police R R Prasad and home secretary J B Tubid also accompanied the chief minister to take stock of the situation there.
"I have confirmation of 18 deaths," the chief minister said while the DGP feared more casualties.
"We have the news that one Naxalite had also been killed," the DGP added.
Maintaining that such methods by the Naxalites would not help to reach any solution, Munda said the administration was planning a strategy to stop the Naxal menace. Asked about the Naxal strike just a day before Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's visit to Jharkhand, Munda said security for him had been in place and there was nothing to worry about as the incident had happened in dense forest when the SP was leading forces on a routine combing operation.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (special branch) G S Rath said twenty bodies had been brought to Gua police station.
He also said the SP, Praveen Kumar suffered minor injuries and was under treatment.
Bureau Report