Mandavi killing: BJP accuses Cong govt of not cooperating in NIA probe

BJP members, including Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik, former chief minister Raman Singh, Brijmohan Agarwal and others moved adjournment motion notices and sought discussion on "increasing" incidents of naxal attacks in the state and killing of party MLA Bhima Mandavi in a blast triggered by Maoists.

Speaker Charandas Mahant read the adjournment motion notice and later allowed discussion over it.

"Mandavi was going to Shayamgiri fair from Bacheli and had given information to police. Despite giving information, police did not provide any security to him," they claimed.

The MLAs said the killing of Mandavi was carried out to influence the Lok Sabha elections, and it can be termed as a "political killing".

They also said that the state government lacked a clear-cut policy to tackle naxalism.

In his reply, Home Minister Tamradhawaj Sahu refuted the charges saying his government has already prepared various strategies to counter the Left Wing Extremism.

"Security forces will be deployed strategically at different locations after monsoon," he said.

Sahu said the state government has requisitioned seven more battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

On killing of the MLA, he said adequate security was provided to Mandavi but he chose to return the DRG security after reaching the party office in Dantewada at 12 noon on April 9, the day of incident.

"After having lunch, all of a sudden Mandavi left for Kirandul and after meeting with party workers proceeded for Kuakonda via Shyamgiri.

"At that moment Bacheli SHO warned Mandavi over mobile phone not to proceed on the said path as there is no Road Opening Party of security forces. Unfortunately, Mandavi proceeded despite warning and the incident took place killing him and four police personnel," he said.

While one Maoist involved in the incident was arrested, five others were gunned down in an encounter, the home minister said.

He said a judicial commission chaired by a retired high court judge has been constituted to probe the incident.

Sahu said even Mandavi's family members were provided full security cover.

The minister further said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has moved court against the ongoing probe being carried out by Chhattisgarh police into Mandavi's killing, which has been stayed by court.

"Since the Congress government came to power (in December last year), police have carried out anti-Naxal operations continuously and in 63 encounters, 36 Maoists were killed.

"They included nine ultras each carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh, five Maoists each carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh, one ultra carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh and five others each carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh. Also 273 Maoists were arrested while another 174 have surrendered during this period," he added.

Unsatisfied with the reply of the home minister, BJP MLAs walked out from the House.