Cong demands judicial probe into Bastar carnage

Raipur, July 26 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha was abruptly adjourned till the lunch recess as opposition Congress members raised slogans demanding a judicial inquiry into a naxal assault, at a relief camp in South Bastar, in which 31 tribals were killed on July 17.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma said the Errabore attack was discussed through an adjournment motion yesterday but the government did not announce any probe into the circumstances that led to the carnage.

Demanding a judicial inquiry, he said it was necessary to fix responsibility and any failure to do so would send a wrong message.

Besides, it would demoralise security personnel.

''Can we ignore such a major incident?'' Mr Karma asked, adding that a high-level probe was necessary to analyse the causes and take corrective steps to prevent recurrence.

Replying to Mr Karma's submission, Chief Minister Raman Singh said his government had already set up a two-member inquiry committee, comprising a principal secretary and additional director-general of police, to inquire into the matter. ''We will take appropriate action on receipt of the report,'' he assured.

Though Mr Ravindra Choubey (Cong) pressed for a high-level probe, Speaker Prem Prakash Pandey said the house had already discussed the incident hence he could not allow any debate. Mr Satya Narayan Sharma (Cong) and his party colleagues were on their feet demanding an inquiry.

As Mr Choubey ruled that nothing on Errabore would go on record, the Congress MLAs began raising slogans. As slogan-shouting continued, the speaker adjourned the house till 1500 hrs.

UNI JJ RP HS1552