New Delhi:
The Home Minister, P Chidambaram, has written to the Prime Minister to accept "full responsibility" for India's worst-ever Naxal attack on Monday, in which 76 jawans were killed. (
Read: Chidambaram on Naxal attack: Something went very wrong)
Chidambaram said after his return here from Dantewada, he had given it in writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
He did not go any further, saying, "Let me not elaborate."
Chidambaram said "The buck stops at my desk" at a function to honour Central Reserve Police Fiorce (CRPF) jawans on Valour Day.
Over the last few days, "the buck stops" has become a catch phrase in the polemic on the Naxal issue, with different politicians hurling it at each other publicly.
First, Chidambaram said "The buck stops with the Chief Minister" in reference to the West Bengal state government after he visited Lalgarh, the Naxal stronghold in West Bengal. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister, took strong exception to Chidambaram's language. Then BJP leader Arun Jaitley said "The buck stops with the Home Minister." (
Read: Buddha strikes back over Chidambaram's language)
On Monday, jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force were returning from a "sanitizing operation" in the forests of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh when they were ambushed by hundreds of Naxals who opened fire. Positioned on hilltops, the Naxals struck swiftly; jawans who tried to seek refuge near trees in the thick forests were killed in landmine blasts. (
Read: 76 security men killed by Naxals in Chhattisgarh)
Chidambaram lauded the sacrifices of the paramilitary force and said the government was trying to ensure that personnel from it were well-paid, well-housed and well-equipped. (
Read: Anti-Naxal Ground Zero: Jawans fight in pathetic conditions)
He also said his Ministry will ensure that the families of slain jawans received compensation by the end of this month and one member from each of them got a job.
Noting that the government will always stand by the security forces, the Home Minister said they performed duties so that people could live in freedom, liberty and democracy.
"I am proud of the innumerable duties the CRPF is called upon to perform. I salute all those who laid down their lives and my heart goes out to their families," Chidambaram said. (With PTI inputs)