Strongly condemning the deadly Naxalite attack on a convoy of Congress leaders, the Chief Ministers and senior leaders of the region on Sunday expressed deep dismay and shock over the attack in Chhattisgarh on Saturday evening.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while condemning the attack conveyed his deepest sympathies with the families of those who have lost their lives. Hooda also wished speedy recovery to those who have been injured in the dastardly attack and said that Congress has a history of sacrifices for the unity and integrity of the country.
The Chief Minister who was in Kurukshetra on Sunday to preside over a public meeting, observed a two minutes silence alongwith others and prayed to Almighty to bestow peace to the departed souls and courage to the bereaved family members to bear the irreparable loss.
Hooda also postponed his programmes that were scheduled for the day and visited Gurgaon Hospital to inquire about the well being of former Union Minister VC Shukla, who was injured when the convoy of Congress leaders was ambushed by armed Naxalites in Chhattisgarh.
The attack has left 27 dead including two senior Congress leaders and many injured. Hooda also met Shukla’s wife and other close relatives who were present at the hospital and wished his speedy recovery. The Chief Minister also assured the family of all help from Haryana Government and gave directions in this regard to the district administration.
He went to the ICU where Shukla is admitted and enquired from the doctors about condition of his health. The doctors informed that condition of Shukla is serious but stable.
Expressing condolence over the killing of party State Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and senior party leader Mahendra Karma in Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the Naxalites would not be able to weaken the Congress worker’s confidence and their morale by attacking in this manner.
He said that it was an attack on the democratic values which needed to be condemned by not only political parties, but society as a whole. He also wished early recovery of former Union Minister VC Shukla and other injured in the attack.
Singh also expressed concern over the inadequate security provided to the Congress leaders who were taking out the Parivartan Yatra in the State despite Naxal threats.
Shocked by the turn of events in Chhattisgarh, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa said that the death of senior party leaders of Chhattisgarh was great loss to the people of state and the Congress. “Violence has no place in Indian democracy and culprits must be dealt with an iron hand,” he added.
Bajwa accused the BJP Government in Chhattisgarh for being complacent towards security of Opposition leaders. “Several Congress workers have also laid their lives in the attack. Nand Kumar Patel and Mahendra Karma are peace loving public leaders and raising voice against anti-national forces. We urged the central government to take firm action against Naxalites responsible for the ghastly incident,” he added.h