Cong meet on naxal issue postponed

New Delhi, June 17 (UNI) The meeting of senior Congress leaders from Chhattisgarh to review the state government's policy on containing naxal activities through 'Salwa judum' was postponed today.

''The meeting has been postponed,'' Congress Treasurer Motilal Vora told UNI.

He, however, did not give the reason for the postponement nor the next date of the meeting.

It is understood that the meeting was postponed in the absence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi.

The meeting, convened by AICC General Secretary incharge of Chhattisgarh Mukul Wasnik at the AICC headquarters, was to be attended by PCC president Charan Das Mahant, CLP leader Mahendra Karma, former Chief Minister Shyama Charan Shukla, Congress President's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel, and senior leaders Oscar Fernandes and Mohsina Kidwai, besides Mr Vora and Mr Jogi.

The meeting was called to evolve a strategy to confront the situation arising out of the failure of the BJP government in the state to stop the killings of tribals by the Maoists.

According to Mr Vora, the meeting was to discuss other issues as well, especially those relating to the development of the state.

Mr Vora said Mr Karma will hold a meeting of the party's state leaders at Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar, on monday to discuss the anti-naxal campaign.

Mr Charan Das Mahant, besides district and Block Congress presidents, zilla panchayat chiefs and PCC and AICC delegates would participate in the meeting,.

The Congress has convened the meeting as Mr Karma, the Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA from Dantewada, is leading the Salwa Judum', a spontaneous and self-initiated reaction to Maoist oppression, hailed as a turning point in the fight against naxalism.

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