Five days after an unprecedented attack by Naxals, which wiped out the the top Congress leadership in the Bastar district, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde will on Friday visit Chhattisgarh.
His own party has expressed reservations over his extended stay in the US following the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. On his arrival in New Delhi on Thursday, Shinde explained he was consulting an eye doctor.
The Home Minister told reporters here that he had an appointment with an eye specialist on May 28 and he returned to the country soon after. Shinde said he had received permission to stay in the US till May 29.
The minister said that the ophthalmologist gave him appointment for May 28 as he was away to Malaysia.
He said in between, there was two-day weekend and the US memorial day on May 27, which was a public holiday.
The minister said political leaders working to strengthen democracy in the Maoist affected areas will be provided security.
Shinde condemned the attack by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh in which 28 people, including two senior state Congress leaders were killed.
Asked why he did not condemn the Maoist attack through a statement, Shinde said he was in regular touch with Home Ministry officials and did not feel the need for issuing any statement from the US.
He said the government had information that the Maoists may try to target urban centres.
“We have information that Naxals may try to target urban centres. There was specific information about Pune,” Shinde said.
–IANS