Rahul Gandhi's Chhattisgarh tour

Raipur, Apr 21 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting various parts of India, would have a ''close look'' at the naxalism problem during his two-day tour of Chhattisgarh starting April 25.

''Mr Gandhi will visit insurgency-affected areas and wishes to get a first-hand view of tribal life and problems. He will interact with students on April 25 evening in Kanker district, which is heavily affected by naxalism. The programme is being organised by the National Students' Union of India,'' Youth Congress President and the tour's coordinator Ashok Tanwar said at a press conference here today.

Police are not in favour of the Amethi MP spending the night in any militancy-affected area. Congress state President Charandas Mahant said that Mr Gandhi's tour of Dantewada district -- worst-affected by ultras -- was cancelled due to security reasons.

''Mr Gandhi will visit forest villages in Bastar division on April 26, take part in some party programmes and meet the press at Jagdalpur that evening. He will then leave for neighbouring Madhya Pradesh for a two-day tour of Mandla, Dindori, Jhabua and Dhar. His Jharkhand visit stands cancelled,'' said Mr Tanwar.

UNI AS-AC 1654