Accepting full responsibility for Tuesday's Maoist attack on a battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district that left 76 personnel dead, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram offered his resignation to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Dr. Singh rejected it.
“The Home Minister met the Prime Minister and gave his resignation in writing on Wednesday. But the Prime Minister rejected it,” sources in the PMO said on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Chidambaram said at a CRPF function: “I have been asked directly or indirectly where the buck stops for what happened in Dantewada. I have no hesitation in saying the buck stops at my desk. I accept full responsibility for what happened.”
He said that soon after his return from Jagdalpur on Wednesday, he called on Dr. Singh and gave him in writing, “I accept full responsibility for what happened in Dantewada….and I think I will stop there. Let me not elaborate.” This was an indication enough that he may have offered his resignation to Dr. Singh
Keywords: CRPF, Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, resignation, Manmohan Singh, massacre, PMO


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Comments:
I fail to understand why ministers/ leaders have to step down in the wake of an incident. Isn't that the time when their leadership is needed the most? To close the chinks in the armour, we need constant review of the system set up. As no system would be perfect, we just need to be aware that such incidents will happen from time to time and we as humans need to address basic issues rather than resign from the post. By sending his resignation, we have only lost precious time and have not made any progress. I would want to see the top leaders being more resolute and strong in dealing with such inhuman activities.