Naxal attack: Cong defends Shinde’s remarks vowing “revenge”

New Delhi: Congress today saw no wrong in Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's remarks vowing "revenge" for yesterday's Naxal ambush in which 15 security personnel and a civilian were killed in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.

"Government of India is committed to give a befitting reply to such forces by joining hands with the state government. Those who have challenged the sovereignty of India have been wiped out earlier also and even in future, they will not be able to stand before our democratic values.

Sushilkumar Shinde. PTI

"How many such dastardly incidents they may engage in, the Naxal forces will never be able to triumph over the democratic values of the nation and its integrity," party spokesperson Randip Surjewala told reporters.

He also reminded that close to the place, another Maoist attack had happened sometime back in which almost the entire state leadership of Congress was wiped out.

"We strongly condemn the Naxal attack and salute the martyrs," he said.

The Home Minister, who is on a day-long visit to Chhattisgarh to review the situation arising out of the killing of 11 CRPF personnel, four Chhattisgarh policemen and one civilian in Sukma district, said "We will definitely take revenge".

Asked how it will be done, Shinde said like in the past the central and state forces will jointly conduct anti-Naxal operations and hunt down the Maoists involved in the ambush.

On the issue of reported differences between President Pranab Mukherjee and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the mercy petition of the death penalty accused Devendra Pal Bhullar, the Congres spokesperson said, "we do not comment on a decision that is still not taken by the President of India.

"He is a seasoned and experienced leader, who has knowledge of administration and law. He will take an appropriate decision."

Reports had it that Mukherjee and the home ministry differed on commuting the death sentence of Khalistani terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar to life term in view of his mental illness and that he favoured Delhi Lieutenant-Governor's recommendation to commute the death penalty.

The MHA is against allowing Bhullar's mercy petition, the report said.

PTI