Sonia Gandhi describes Chhattisgarh Maoist strike as an attack on democracy

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has condemned as "despicable" the Maoist strike on her party colleagues in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur district, and described it as an attack on the nation's democratic values.

She was speaking to media late on Saturday night after attending an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders and ministers at Dr. Singh's 7 RCR official residence here.

Gandhi, who was accompanied by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, told reporters after the meeting, that they are "shocked, astounded and pained by the attack on our colleagues."

"Naturally we are devastated... It is despicable that ordinary people engaged in political activity were attacked," she said.

The Congress President hoped that the Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son, who are missing since the attack, have not been kidnapped by the Maoists.

Gandhi also expressed concern over the condition of senior Congress leader V C Shukla, who was injured in the attack.

"Shuklaji has been hit by a bullet in the stomach area," she said.

Sonia Gandhi said the Prime Minister has spoken to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who said that he would get back to the Central Government if any assistance was required, but had still not called.

She said all authorities concerned have been asked to render all support.

Her political secretary Ahmed Patel was also present in the meeting with the Prime Minister.