Manmohan Singh should clarify Govt’s stand on Maoist threat: BJP

NEW DELHI/PATNA/RAIPUR/JHARGRAM - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday condemned the Maoist attack in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District, in which at least 65 people were killed and over 150 injured, and said that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should clarify the Government’s stand on the Maoist threat.

“BJP strongly condemns the unfortunate incident in Bengal where many innocent passengers have lost their lives,” said senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.

“It is high time that Prime Minister of India clarifies once for all what is the national line. It is a national problem and there has to be response consistent to that understanding,” he added.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav called the attack a cowardly act.

“They attacked the railways because it is a soft target. Whoever has done it, be it Maoists or some one else, it’s shameful,” said Lalu Yadav.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also condemned the attack, and said a large number of innocent people have been affected by it.

“We don’t have any confirmed reports yet but the train is being cut by an electric cutter and bodies are being taken out of it. But a large number of people have been affected by this,” said Raman Singh.

Thirteen bogies of the ill-fated express train were derailed near Jhargram in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District at 1.30 am following several blasts suspected to have been triggered by the Maoists.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai has confirmed the death of 65 people, saying the toll might go up. (ANI)