Modi Govt has no policy to tackle Naxal threat: Cong

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday cornered the Centre over the Sukma attack, saying neither corruption nor the Naxal problems got solved post demonetisation as claimed by the ruling dispensation.

Expressing his condolences to the CRPF bravehearts, who lost their lives in the Sukma encounter, Singh urged the government to take the villagers into confidence to ensure that such incidents so not occur again.

"I have been saying this from the very beginning that the Naxals problem will not be solved in these Naxalite belt till the villagers will not be taken into confidence .There is not a single faction of administration there. Discussions should take place with all political leaders and some new policies should be introduced," Singh told the media here.

"Neither corruption nor Naxal problems got solved post demonetisation. Neither stone pelting nor flow of black money could be checked following demonetisation. Demonetisation was just an outcome of arrogant government," he added.

The Congress leader alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formed government in Naxal-affected states after compromising with the ultras.

Earlier, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala dubbed the attack as clear case of intelligence failure while demanding strict action against the BJP-led government in the state.

"Is it not a clear case of intelligence failure on the part of central and state governments? I think it's time that strict action is taken against the BJP government in Chhattisgarh for they utterly failed in defending the people and also in ensuring that our security forces are geared up in a manner where they can take on the Naxalites," Surjewala told ANI.

Resonating similar views, AICC general secretary B. K. Hariprasad termed the incident as unfortunate while stating that the government doesn't have any political approach or policy to handle Naxalism.

As many as 25 CRPF personnel were killed and six others injured in the encounter with the Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Sukma yesterday.

The attack took place on personnel of the CRPF's 74th Battalion as they were assisting the local population in road building activity in the district.

The Centre, earlier in the day, assured action against the perpetrators of the 'cold-blooded murder' in Sukma.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the Centre and state government would work together to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

Singh, who paid homage to the jawans during a wreath laying ceremony in Raipur today along with his deputy Hansraj Ahir and Chief Minister Raman Singh, said this cowardly and unfortunate act exposes desperation and frustration.

"It is a cold blooded murder by the extremists. The Centre and state governments will work together and take action in this regard," Rajnath told a joint press briefing with the Chief Minister here.

Condemning the attack, the Home Minister said that the sacrifice of the jawans would not go in vain.

He further said that the Centre if needed would review and also revise the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) strategy, adding a meeting of officials of various state governments has been called on May 8.