Raipur: Rattled by the deadly naxal attack on Congress convoy on May 25 that left 27 people dead, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday directed district collectors and SPs to review on a regular basis the security of public representatives across the state and especially in the Maoist-affected regions.
The Chief Minister`s directive came in the wake of the Naxal attack on Congress` `Parivartan Yatra` in Bastar district that virtually wiped out top Congress brass in the state ahead of the Assembly elections, due by year-end, when public rallies and meeting are bound to increase during electioneering.
District collectors and superintendents of police were asked to consult office-bearers of political parties before finalising the security arrangement for MPs, MLAs and other public representatives.
"Adequate security should be provided to public gatherings and rallies of political parties after consulting their office bearers.
"On getting information about political programmes, the
officials should contact the office-bearers (of political parties) and should check and discuss the security arrangements on prior basis", the chief minister said.
He addressed collectors and SPs through video conferencing from his official residence here.
"In sensitive areas, security of MPs, MLAs and Zila Panchayat presidents should also be reviewed on a regular basis", he added.
Singh also ordered the officials to dispose of pending cases of awarding ex-gratia to the kin of those killed in Naxal violence this year by June 10 and expedite the procedure to appoint family member on compassionate grounds.
The chief minister also directed officials to open fair price shops in remote areas of the state at the earliest and ensure sufficient availability of fertilisers and seeds ahead of the next crop season.
The state government has already asked state DGP Ramniwas to take care of VIP security. The top cop will be assisted by the IG and DIG-rank officials.
Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand, DGP Ramniwas, Principal Secretary NK Aswal and other senior officials were present during the meeting.
PTI
