By IANS,
New Delhi : Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday accepted “full responsibility” for the Maoist massacre of 76 security personnel in Chhattisgarh and said the “buck stops at my desk”.
Chidambaram has also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepting responsibility for the worst attack since the Maoist insurgency began more than four decades ago. Seventy-five troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and one Chhattisgarh policeman were killed Tuesday in the dense forests of Bastar region.
“I have been asked directly or indirectly where the buck stops after the attack. The buck stops at my desk,” Chidambaram said at a function to mark Valour Day for the CRPF.
“I accept full responsibility for what happened in Dantewada’ I called the prime minister and gave in writing that I accept full responsibility for what happened,” he said, adding: “Let me not elaborate.”
Referring to the many reports on how the men were poorly trained, Chidambaram went guns blazing defending the security personnel.
“It has been written that the 62nd battalion was poorly trained or lacked adequate weapons and equipment which is not true,” Chidambaram said.
“I ask everyone humbly that if you can’t go on the front, please don’t disrespect our jawans.”
The minister said he was working within the “limits” of his capacity to make the CRPF and other security forces “well fed, well paid, well trained and well-motivated”.
He pointed out that when he took over, only a handful of the 186 executive CRPF battalions were under training. “Today as I speak to you, out of 186 battalions, (all) 186 companies are under training,” said Chidambaram.
Chidambaram asserted that a rule had been implemented that only one company in each battalion would be under training, with the rest given adequate rest time.
A battalion of about 1,000 men consists of six companies.
“We have addressed issues pertaining to salaries, allowances, pensions, compensations and rehabilitation. More needs to be done, and they will be done,” said the minister.
The families of the slain personnel would be given full compensation before the end of this month, Chidambaram said. The government had announced a compensation of Rs.38 lakh for the next of kin of each slain security personnel, with the central government contributing Rs.15 lakh to the kitty
He also offered a job for a family member of each of the slain personnel.
“I am proud of the CRPF and its work. I salute all those who laid down their lives. The families who lost their member in the Dantewada attack will be compensated by the end of this month,” the minister assured.