Post Sukma attack, Rahul Gandhi slams Centre's anti-Naxal strategy

Launching an attack on the Narendra Modi-led government in the wake of the Sukma Maoist attack, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi expressed hope that the Centre's 'revised' strategy in dealing with Naxalism will have more purpose and impact.

Gandhi's reaction came in the wake of the ghastly ambush by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Sukma leading to the death of 25 CRPF personnel.

Reacting on government's decision to revise its Left Wing Extremism (LWE) strategy, Gandhi commented, "Last heard 'demonetization' was the Govt's strategy to neutralize Naxalism. I hope the 'revised' strategy has a little more purpose & impact."

This acted as a double attack on the government, slamming the Centre's demonetisation move and its anti-naxal strategy.

Dubbing the killing of 25 CRPF jawans in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district as cold blooded murder, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the Centre and state government would work together to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

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.

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

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.