Chhattisgarh Maoist attack: Mortal remains of CRPF member consigned to flames

Balaghat (MP), Dec 3: The mortal remains of Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) CoBRA battalion member Manish Singh, who was killed in a Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh's Sukma region two days ago, was consigned to the flames with full state honours here today.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who was present during his funeral announced financial help to his family members and installation of his statue.

He said that a member of Manish Singh's family would be employed by a state government department.

Chouhan also announced that a tract of agricultural land would be provided to Manish Singh's family at Baihar, where his statue would be put up.

In a mark of respect to Manish Singh, all markets and business establishments remained closed in Baihar today. Manish was among the 14 CRPF personnel killed by the Maoists in an ambush at Sukma on December 1.

The next of kin of each of the 14 CRPF personnel killed by Naxals in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, will be paid Rs 38 lakh and every injured security man will be given Rs 65,000, Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Tuesday.

The Home Minister, who visited the jawans of CRPF a day after a force contingent was attacked by Naxals, said CPI (Maoist) has posed a big challenge and the entire nation has to be united to fight this menace.

"We have more casualty from proxy war than actual war. This incident will not deter our security forces and they will continue to march ahead in the ongoing operations," he said.

Singh termed incident in Sukma district as very unfortunate and an act of cowardice. He said bodies of those martyred have been brought here and all arrangements have been made to send them to their families.

PTI