This is a cold-blooded murder, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sukma Maoist attack

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday termed Sukma attack, in which 25 CRPF personnel were killed , as a "cold-blooded murder" and said that Maoists are using "tribals as human shields".

"This is a cold-blooded murder. The sacrifice of our jawans will not go in vain," Rajnath said.

"Naxalites are using tribals as fodder. Tribals are being used as human shields," the home minister said on Tuesday after paying homage to 25 CRPF men killed in a deadly ambush by Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

"The attack was out of desperation. They (Maoists) are against the ongoing development in the tribal areas. But we will not let them succeed," he said.

Rajnath Singh said that a joint meeting of various state government officials will take place on May 8 to strengthen the strategy against the Maoists.

"If needed, we will review the anti-Naxalite strategy," he said.

Rajnath arrived in Raipur at around 10.30am and directly headed to the headquarters of the 4th battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force in Mana camp area where the wreath-laying ceremony was held.

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.

On Monday, 25 CRPF personnel were martyred and seven wounded in state's Sukma district, the deadliest ambush by Naxalites of security forces in last seven years.

The nearly 100-strong CRPF patrol providing security for road construction work came under fierce gunfire from Maoist guerrillas occupying vantage positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the personnel.

The Naxalites mounted the assault in Kalapathar area of south Bastar region, one of the worst-hit by Left-wing extremism in the country.

Meanwhile, Padma Shri Awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik pays tribute to Sukma martyrs.

(with agencies input)

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