Expressing his condolences to the families of the nine CRPF personnel killed in Tuesday’s Naxal attack at Sukma, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet that the incident reflected the worsening internal security situation and ‘flawed’ policies.
The Congress also connected the latest attack to the government’s demonetisation policy and claimed it only highlighted the “hollow claims of ending terrorism and naxalism.”
“Endangering India’s national security is a direct consequence of the Modi government’s aimless, irresolute and inconsistent policies. Modi had sold the ‘national security’ plank hard to attain power, but in the past four years, we have only witnessed a precarious security situation in the country,” said Congress communication chief Randeep Surjewala.
Describing the attack as a mindless and ruthless strike on security forces, the Congress said the BJP government in Chhattisgarh had learnt nothing from the 2017 ambush when 26 CRPF personnel were killed.
The party also said cross-border infiltrations, ceasefire violations, terror attacks on security installations and Naxal attacks in States had increased under the BJP.
“Every time there is a Naxal attack, the Chief Minister (of Chhattisgarh) promises some tough action, but nothing concrete has been done to stop these attacks. Do we have any accountability mechanism for those who are in power for 14 years, and have completely failed to tackle this scourge of Naxalism,” Mr. Surjewala asked.
Post-note ban, Mr. Surjewala alleged, there were 23 major Naxal attacks killing 97 security personnel and 121 civilians; 53 major terror incidents had taken place in Jammu and Kashmir alone, in which 99 security personnel and 64 civilians were killed.
And citing figures provided in the Lok Sabha, he said there have been 122 violent attacks this year and 14 jawans and 12 civilians have been killed.
“Hollow claims, sloganeering and drafting acronyms for propaganda cannot be a substitute to sound policy measures. Rhetoric and headline management only exacerbate the situation and endanger our people,” Mr. Surjewala said.
