Home Minister Rajnath Singh apprises Lok Sabha about attack on CRPF men in Chhattisgarh

Excerpts from his statement:

"“On March 11, 2017 two companies of CRPF at Bheji in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh were providing security cover for road construction on Bheji-Gorkha-Injiram Axis.

Around 0853 hrs, when this party reached a forested area close to Bankupara village, armed Left Wing Extremists ambushed them with heavy firing and simultaneous use of IED blasts.

In this incident, unfortunately 12 personnel were martyred and 2 were seriously injured. The condition of injured personnel is stable and they are out of danger. 13 weapons and 2 Wireless Sets were taken away by the Left Wing Extremists.

I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the personnel who have lost their lives and I would like to say firmly that the entire nation is with them in their hour of grief.

The nation will always remember their sacrifices. The injured personnel will be provided with the best possible treatment available. On behalf of the entire house, I pray for their health and wellbeing."

The minister said that the unprecedented success of the Security Forces of late has led to evident uneasiness among the Left Wing Extremist Groups.

He pointed out that the Forces have achieved tremendous success during 2016 in all LWE affected states and particularly in Chhattisgarh where 135 LWE cadres were eliminated, 779 arrested and 1198 surrendered.

The number of violent incidents in Chhattisgarh also dropped by 15 per cent from 466 in 2015 to 395 in 2016, the minister said.

The minister informed the Lok Sabha that the Left Wing Extremists have suffered unprecedented losses in 2016.

"They have admitted so, openly in their documents and statements. They will continue to attempt such incidents to restore the flagging morale of their cadres. I believe that our brave soldiers and officers will continue to respond with a firm resolve and contribute wholeheartedly towards elimination of Left Wing Extremism," the minister said.

Rajnath Singh said that he has directed DG, CRPF to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident so that the lapses that led to the incident can be identified, which will reduce the possibility of repetition of such incidents in the future.

The minister informed the House that the next of kin of the martyred CRPF personnel will be provided Rs 35 lacs as ex-gratia from the Central Government, Rs 20 lacs from the Risk Fund of CRPF and Rs  1 lac  from the CRPF Welfare Fund. They  will also get  Rs  25 lacs as insurance benefits and Rs 3 lacs as ex-gratia from the Chhattisgarh Government. The next of kin will also be provided full salary till the age of superannuation of the personnel martyred under the Liberalized Pensionary Award (LPA).

Incidentally, on Monday, the day of Holi, the paramilitary forces of the country refrained from participating in the festivities as a mark of respect to their slain comrades, media reported.

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