Ranchi:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited the house of Inspector Francis Induwar, who was beheaded by Maoists ten days back, and sympathised with his children, saying he had lost his father to a suicide bomber.
During his 20-minute visit to the house, Rahul interacted with the widow of the special branch inspector, Sunita, and her children.
Rahul told Sunita and her children studying in Class V, VI and VII that he too had lost his father Rajiv in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu in 1991 to a suicide bomber.
"I too lost my father. But I was 19 then, much older than you. Study well," Gandhi told the children.
"Rahul Gandhi also asked me on suggestions to curb left-wing extremism in the state and I replied that basic amenities like health, education and roads should be provided in rural areas," she told reporters.
Sunita also informed Rahul that she had joined a school as a teacher after getting an appointment letter from the governor.
"My son Avisekh told Rahul Gandhi that he would become a police officer and fight Maoists who his father died fighting with," Sunita said.
Induwar was beheaded by Maoists on October 6.
Soon after the beheading of Induwar, the family had received a compensation package of Rs 58 lakh, besides the promise of a teacher's job to his wife and free education for the children.
At a press conference in Ranchi, the Congress general secretary said: "Naxalism happens when governments fail to reach out to the people. Then there is underdevelopment and people turn against the state."
During his whirlwind two-day visit to Jharkhand, Rahul Gandhi visited eight districts, meeting people and trying to recruit more members for the Youth Congress in the state.
But in a state beset with corruption and rampant Naxalism, the jury is still out on whether Rahul 's effort to connect with the people can actually make a difference.
A Hazaribagh resident says: "If he meets with the youth and connects with us, I am sure he can make a difference ..."
But then another says: "Nothing will come out of merely going around the state. He has to ensure that he does something about the assurances."
Assembly elections are due in Jharkhand in the next few months, and it remains to be seen if Rahul Gandhi's visit can help the Congress in any way in the polls.