12 CRPF jawans killed in Sukma: Rajnath Singh not to play Holi

Home minister Rajnath Singh has decided not to play Holi on Monday in view of the killing of 12 CRPF personnel by Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

The Home Minister will not play Holi this time as he was saddened by the death of the 12 CRPF men at Sukma in Chhattisgarh, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

In one of the deadliest attacks on security forces, 12 CRPF personnel were yesterday killed and their arms looted when Naxals ambushed their patrol party in the Maoist hotbed of Sukma in Chhattisgarh.

The incident occurred at 9.15 AM in the dense forests near Kottacheru village under Bhejji police station, around 450 kms away from the state capital, when 112 personnel of CRPF’s 219th battalion were out for a road opening task.

Singh had visited Raipur yesterday where he paid respect to the departed souls. The Home Minister has described the attack on CRPF personnel as “cowardly act” and said their sacrifices won’t go in vain.

It has been decided that the total ex gratia which will be given to the families of the slain jawans should not be less than Rs 1 crore, the Home minister had said.

Read | Naxals kill 12 CRPF personnel, loot AK series assault weapons in dense forests near Sukma; PM Modi, Sonia strongly condemn attack