'Meeting on strategy review against Maoists on May 8'

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday termed the Maoist attack on CRPF personnel in Chattisgarh, which left 25 troopers dead, a "cold blooded murder". He added the government will take strong action against those responsible.

Singh, who visited the attack site in Sukma district earlier on Tuesday, told the media here that a joint meeting of various state government officials will take place on May 8 to strengthen the strategy against the Maoists.

"The attack was out of desperation. They (Maoists) are against the ongoing development in the tribal areas. But we will not let them succeed."

"We will... review the strategy. If needed we will revive it," Singh said.

He also said that Maoists were using tribals as fodder. This was one of their deadliest attack since 2013.

On Monday, 300 to 400 heavily armed Maoists, including women, ambushed a Central Reserve Police Force contingent in a forested patch in Chhattisgarh, killing the troopers and escaping with their AK-47 assault rifles.

Singh, who reached Raipur with the Additional Director General of CRPF Sudeep Lakhtakia, said that the government would not let the sacrifices made by the soldiers go in vain.

"We have accepted it as a challenge. It will be answered appropriately. Will review strategy, if necessary we will revisit it. It was a cowardly act. Centre and state government will work together," said Singh.

"We have lost precious lives of our soldiers... Left Wing Extremists are trying to impede the progress (of the region)...They are the biggest enemy of the poor," added Singh.

The media briefing was also attended by the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

--IANS

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