Rajnath 'hurt' on seeing blood-stained uniforms in garbage

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said his sentiments were hurt on learning that blood-stained uniforms and boots of paramilitary personnel killed in a Maoist attack were found in a garbage dump at a government hospital in Chhattisgarh.

The home minister said responsibility will be fixed for this lapse.

Responding to concern expressed by opposition members in the Lok Sabha on the issue, Rajnath Singh said he immediately spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on learning that clothes of 14 Central Reserve Police Force personnel who were killed by Maoists were dumped in a dustbin after post-mortem examination.

"My sentiments were hurt. I called up the chief minister immediately," he said.

Rajnath Singh said he told Raman Singh there should be a probe and responsibility should be fixed.

"The chief minister informed that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and responsibility will be fixed," the home minister said.

Raising the issue earlier in the day, K.C. Venugopal of the Congress said the matter came to light after local people found the blood-stained uniforms lying in the dustbin.

He said the post-mortem examination of the CRPF personnel took place in the hospital and the uniforms were reportedly thrown into the dustbin after that.

"The serious thing was the allegation of dogs eating the remains of the CRPF personnel after the post-mortem was done which sent shock waves across the nation. It is a very shameful incident," he said.

He alleged that there was delay in rescuing the CRPF personnel.

Rajnath Singh also alleged that there was lack of coordination between the defence and home ministries and the state government.

The Chhattisgarh government had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident last week.