Stunned by gruesome Naxal attack on its top Chhattisgarh leaders, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday termed it as an “attack on democratic values,” even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called up State Chief Minister Raman Singh to take stock of the situation and assured deployment of more forces to deal with the Maoist menace.
“We are shocked, astounded and pained by the attack on our colleagues in Chhattisgarh...It is an attack on democratic values which need to be condemned by not only political parties, but society as a whole,” Ms. Gandhi told reporters here.
Meanwhile, government sources said the Prime Minister spoke to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Mr. Raman Singh over phone and assured all assistance and more Central police forces in dealing with the situation. Mr. Singh also offered to send air ambulances to rush seriously injured leaders to Delhi for better medical care.
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Soon after the attack, senior Home Ministry officials huddled in the North Block to take review security scenario in all Naxal-affected states. Senior officers of the CRPF, the paramilitary force that is assisting the State police forces in fighting Maoists, were also called to discuss the attack and steps needed to ensure safety and security of leaders in the State, where the threat perception is higher.
Official sources said the Home Ministry along with police forces of all nine Naxal-affected States were likely to review overall security scenario in these States and also relook at security cover being provided to leaders and other prominent persons.