Maoists Gun Down Congress Leader

[Windjammer]

Maoists attack Congress' 'yatra', kill Mahendra Karma, injure V C Shukla - Indian Express

Suspected Naxals opened fire on Congress party's 'Parivartan Yatra', comprising senior party leaders in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district today, police said. The ultras opened fire on the 'yatra' when it reached the forested Geedam Ghati area on way to Jagdalpur. Senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma was killed and former Union minister V C Shukla injured.

Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son have been kidnapped by Naxals, say police sources.

Police sources also said another former Congress MLA Phulo Devi Netam from Bastar, a prominent tribal leader, was also wounded in the firing, police sources said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called Chief Minister Raman Singh and asked him about what help he needs to deal with the situation.

PM has also tasked the NSA to ascertain what kind of assistance the state needs to deal with the attack and its aftermath.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi says Naxals have attacked India's democratic values.

Chhattisgarh Congress media cell president Shailesh Trivedi alleged that ruling BJP government did not provide adequate security to the 'yatra' despite threats from Naxals.

"Naxals have opposed both BJP's 'Vikas Yatra' and Congress' 'yatra'. However, the state government provided security only to BJP and not to the one organised by Congress. Had it been provided security, today's incident would not have happened," he said.

Trivedi said he was trying to contact the party leaders who were part of the yatra but was unable to do so as the incident occurred in forested area.

Congress had launched Parivartan Yatra on April 12 in the state where Assembly elections are due by year end.