President Pranab Mukherjee, Lok Sabha condemn Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday strongly condemned the killing of 14 CRPF personnel in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh by Naxals and asked all concerned to spare no efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

In his message to Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon, the President said that he was shocked and dismayed to learn about the tragic attack by the left wing extremists on security personnel on Monday.

"I condemn this act of violence on our security forces in the strongest of terms and call upon authorities concerned to spare no efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. "In this moment of grief, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of the victims," he said in a message.

The President called upon the state government and other agencies to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured and wished their speedy recovery.

The Lok Sabha too condemned the"cowardly" act of attack on CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh and paid tributes to those killed.

As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan drew the attention of the members to the encounter with Naxals in Sukma in Chhattisgarh.

Dubbing the attack as a "cowardly" act, she prayed for those killed in the incident and extended condolences to the family members of the personnel. She also hoped for early recovery of those who were injured.

The members later stood in silence for a few minutes as a mark of respect for those killed.

14 CRPF personnel, including two officers, were killed while an equal number were injured in an encounter with Maoists in the Naxal hot-bed of Sukma.