Three-day mourning in Chhattisgarh

Chattisgarh Government on Tuesday declared three-day state mourning as a mark of respect for former union minister and Congress veteran V.C. Shukla who died after battling injuries in a Naxal attack.

Expressing condolence over Mr. Shukla’s demise Chief Minister Raman Singh declared the three-day mourning in the state.

Flags will fly at half-mast on all government buildings and no official function will be held during this period.

Mr. Shukla (84) died in a Gurgaon hospital this afternoon after battling injuries sustained in the deadly Naxal attack on a convoy of party leaders in Bastar on May 25.

Mr. Shukla was airlifted from Raipur and admitted to the hospital on May 26, a day after the attack which eliminated almost the entire top leadership of Chhattisgarh unit of Congress.

Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt also expressed grief over the demise of Mr. Shukla.

In his condolence message, the Governor said, “(Mr.) Shukla was a distinguished personality, who made immense contributions towards socio-economic development of Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh during his over six-decade long political career. He had served as Union Minister and in other prominent positions.”

His death is an irreparable loss not only to state but to the entire country,” he added.

Mr. Dutt expressed sympathy towards the bereaved family.

In his condolence message, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said, “A golden age in the Indian politics has come to an end with the demise of (Mr.) Shukla. He was a star leader in Indian politics for more than a half century.”