Raipur: The state-wide bandh called by the Congress in Chhattisgarh to protest against the Naxal attack on Parivartan rally which almost wiped out the party leadership in the state has got a massive response with all markets and public transport shut down. From Raipur to Kanker the roads and markets wore a deserted look as people stayed indoors.
Congress workers took out protest rallies in several cities of the state demanding tough action against the Naxals and blamed the state government of Chief Minister Raman Singh for failing to provide security to their leaders.
One of the reasons the bandh has evoked such an overwhelming response is because Salwa Judum founder Mahender Karma, one of those killed in the attack, enjoyed massive support in the state for his anti-Naxal stand. Chhattisgarh Congress President Nand Kumar Patel, who had been missing since the attack and was believed to have been abducted by the Naxals along with his son Dinesh, was found dead on Sunday morning.
Eyewitnesses say a badly mutilated body found next to Nand Kumar Patel is that of his son, Dinesh, but there are no confirmed reports yet. Earlier there were reports that Dinesh was found hiding in a ditch in the dense forests of Jagdalpur district on Sunday morning.
Sources say Nand Kumar Patel was the main target of the ambush. Former Congress MLA Uday Mudliyar was also killed along with several party leaders and workers the attack carried on the party convoy in the dense forests of Darba Ghati in Jagdalpur district.
Even the Chhattisgarh government has announced three days of mourning following what has been one of the most brutal attack in the recent months.
According to Chhattisgarh Congress Media Cell President Shailesh Trivedi the bandh has been called also to demand imposition of President's Rule in the state following alleged breakdown in law and order and rising incidents of Naxal attacks. Trivedi also alleged conspiracy behind the attack on Saturday in which several party leaders were killed.
"We are sad and I don't know how to express myself. I believe they have not provided him (Nand Kumar Patel) with proper security. I believe this is a conspiracy. When they had threats then they should have provided him with high security. They have given chance to Naxalites. This is negligence in his security," said Trivedi.
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