The Lok Sabha on Thursday paid homage to the 76 security personnel massacred by Maoists in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on April 6 and the 11 personnel of the Special Operations Group of the Orissa police, also by Maoists, at Koraput on April 4.
Speaker Meira Kumar, who read out the condolence message, said the deadliest attacks were aimed at disturbing the peace and creating chaos. “The Dantewada massacre is the deadliest Maoist attack so far in which militants used landmines and improvised explosive devices and looted weapons from the deceased and injured personnel.”
“Outstanding statesman”
The House paid homage to Poland President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria Kaczynska, Marshal (Speaker) of Sejm (Polish Parliament) Bronislaw Komorowsk and others killed in a plane crash in Russia on April 10. Ms. Kumar described Kaczynski as “an outstanding statesman,” who was personally committed to promoting good relations between Poland and India.
The Lok Sabha also mourned the death of over 120 persons in the cyclone in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam, and that of nine persons in stampede and drowning during the Maha Kumbh in Haridwar.
The House paid homage to three former members, Shivsharn Verma, P. Rajarethinam and Sunderwati Nawal Prabhakar, and recalled their services.
The members observed a minute's silence in memory of all those who lost their lives.