Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today described the attack on CRPF men by Naxals in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh as a ‘cold blooded murder’ and vowed to avenge the killings.
Addressing the media here along with Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, the Home Minister said that the ‘government will take strong action against those responsible’.
“This is a cold blooded murder. The sacrifice of our jawans will not go in vain. Attempts are being made to derail the development process in the region," he said.
Singh, who visited the attack site in Sukma district earlier today, told the media that a joint meeting of various state government officials will take place on May 8 to strengthen the strategy against the Maoists.
"The attack was out of desperation. They (Maoists) are against the ongoing development in the tribal areas. But we will not let them succeed. If needed, we will revive the strategy," he said.
The Home Minister, after arriving here at around 10:30 am, directly headed to the headquarters of the 4th battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force in Mana camp area to pay homage to the martyred CRPF jawans.
Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon, Chief Minister Raman Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir and senior state and paramilitary officials were also present on the occasion.
In one of the deadliest attacks, 300 to 400 heavily armed Maoists, women included, ambushed a CRPF contingent in a forested patch in Chhattisgarh on Monday, killing 25 troopers and escaping with their AK-47 assault rifles. Six CRPF personnel were airlifted to Raipur in critical condition.