Fearing Maoist attack based on Intelligence inputs and citing security reasons, Union Minister of Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad cancelled his Kirandul trip on Monday.
He was to address a public meeting in the insurgency infested district. The Minister’s other programmes were retained in other parts of Chhattisgarh as per schedule mainly of holding public meetings at Mohala Manpur and Ambagarh Chowki. It may be recalled that late on Sunday evening, BJP leader and member of Zila Panchayat Nandlal Mudami was attacked by Maoists in Palnar area of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. He was admitted to the district hospital but observing his critical condition, he was shifted to Raipur.
After the incident in Dantewada, the trip of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was cancelled citing security reasons.
Putting in place security arrangements for the upcoming polls in three states, the Union Home Ministry has ordered for the deployment of about 25,000 troops for election duties in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, a directive said.