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Pressure mounts on state government over strike
Pressure is mounting on Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh regarding security lapses for Saturday’s Parivartan rally in Bastar’s Darbha ghat.
Pressure is mounting on Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh regarding security lapses for Saturday’s Parivartan rally in Bastar’s Darbha ghat.
With the rally coming under Maoist attack in which 27 people, including senior Congress leaders, died, the party demanded the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. Now, Opposition leader Ravindra Choubey has claimed that despite the Congress request for extra security none was provided.
The state government had contended that the Congress leaders had taken the route despite police advice to the contrary. "This is a blatant lie," Choubey said. "This state government simply wants to shrug off responsibility." State Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, who died in the attack, had requested for sufficient security, which was ignored, he added.
Injured Konta legislator Kawasi Lakhma, who was brought to Raipur for further treatment, corroborated Choubey’s words.
Lakhma — who had sustained bullet injuries on his leg and neck — said, "Patel, his son Dinesh and I were in the same car, but not a single policeman accompanied us."
When the Maoists began shooting, he got injured by glass shards from the shattered car window. "I was only half conscious when I saw Patel and his son being dragged into the forest," Lakma said.
