Cabinet Committee on Security to discuss Chattisgarh’s Naxal attack

NEW DELHI - The Cabinet Committee on Security is meeting on Wednesday evening to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of Chattisgarh’s Naxal attack.

The meeting assumes significance as Union Home Minister P Chidambaram pleaded for a larger mandate for his ministry in dealing with the growing Naxal menace in the country.

A day after Maoists killed at least 26 civilians, including women and children, in an attack on a bus in Dantewada, Chidambaram threw down the peace gauntlet before the ultras calling on them to cease violence for at least 72 hours so that a dialogue could be initiated.

With Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacking him for appearing ‘martyred and injured’, Chidambaram appealed to all political parties to maintain a bipartisan approach in dealing with the ultras.

Chidambaram suggested that the BJP should maintain a bipartisan approach on the Maoists issue.

Chidambaram also spoke about the Central Government’s strategy in dealing with the Maoists and termed it as a ‘limited mandate’ by contending it was the primary responsibility of the State governments to tackle the menace.

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is expected to meet top leaders including the Home Minister during the day to hold discussions on dealing with the issue.

Raman Singh on Wednesday said the Naxalites are terrorists, adding that it is quite possible that they might be linked to terrorist outfits.

He further said the State Government cannot solely depend on the police to tackle the menace, as the Naxalites keep on changing their strategies.

Raman Singh favoured a long-term joint action plan with the Centre to tackle the Maoists.

About 35 people were killed when Maoists blew up a private bus near Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.

The bus was on its way from Dantewada to Sukma. The incident took place near Chingawaram, about nine kilometers from Sukma.

The bus was carrying 20 special police officers (SPO) and over 30 civilians. (ANI)