Amid Congress' boycott, the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Raman Singh concluded on Thursday afternoon with a resolve to strengthen security system in Bastar besides increasing the pace of development in tribal areas.
Chairing the meeting at Mahanadi Bhawan, the Chief Minister sought cooperation from all political parties for the end of Maoist insurgency in Bastar, which has become focal point in the country for launching a final assault against the Naxal violence. He expressed the hope that this scourge will be defeated one day and finally the democracy and the development will prevail. The State Government has taken the vow of uprooting Naxal base from Bastar with the help of people. "With increasing the security set up for the safety of people we will also step up development in the region," the Chief Minister added.
Criticising Congress' boycott, the Chief Minister said, "Had the main opposition party participated, that could have strengthened the meeting." He was dismayed at the decision of in the Congress not to participate in the proceedings even if Central leaders of that party came to Raipur and holding meeting with the Government on the same issue.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the meeting was called to devise coordination with the Opposition party leaders on the issue of the unfortunate Maoist attack on Congress convoy, which resulted in loss of lives of Congress leaders -- including Mahendra Karma, Nand Kumar Patel, Uday Mudliyar and others along with PSOs and others.
For having a face-to-face talk on any serious issue meeting is must Raman said, adding that this was great loss for the people of the State. Terming the attack as the result of perturbation of Maoists after seeing the success of Vikas Yatra as well as Parivartan Yatra, which undoubtedly aroused the people's response towards democratic system, the Chief Minister sought people's help and called for unanimity for defeating the Naxal menace, which has no faith in democratic values.
The Chief Minister also thanked representatives of other parties who expressed their views against the Naxal violence in unison and also called for their support in future as well.
The Chief Minister said that a judicial probe panel has already started an enquiry and National Investigation Agency is also conducting the probe. After getting reports of the two agencies the State Government will ensure the strictest legal action against whoever found guilty in the case, Raman added.
The all-party meet began on Wednesday at Mahanadi Bhawan to discuss the situation arising out of Darbha massacre in which Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI, CPM, Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and others participated despite a boycott by the main opposition party Congress.