<p>Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who was on a visit to Chhattisgarh on Friday after returning from the US, said that there was prima facie evidence that some security lapses led to the May 25 Maoist ambush in Bastar.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking to the media at the Raj Bhavan after reviewing the situation arising out of the attack, he called it an act of terror. “The ongoing inquiry by the NIA will reveal whether there was any intelligence failure or any other conspiracy,” the home minister added.<br />Setting aside political differences with the BJP-led state government, Shinde announced that the Centre and Chhattisgarh government would work in unison to deal with the Maoists. “We have asked the investigating agencies to bring out the truth without being influenced by anything. We have urged the Chhattisgarh government to extend all possible assistance to them,” he added.<br /><br />In reply to a question, Shinde said Maoist attacks demonstrate terrorist methods rather than an exercise for social change. “There were perceptions that this problem was due to the backwardness or lack of development, but the way the Maoists are targeting people, there is no word other than terror to describe this. Nobody can justify the killings,” he said.<br /><br />Shinde suggested establishment of a commando force on the lines of elite Grey Hounds of Andhra Pradesh to provide specialised protection in all the Maoist-affected states. <br />Asked about the alleged political conspiracy that links the names of some Congress leaders to this attack, the Union home minister said that there should not be any politics over the incident. “Already two inquiries, one by the NIA and another judicial probe, have been ordered. They will bring out the facts,” he added. <br /><br />Shinde added that operations in the Maoist-infested areas, including Chhattisgarh, might begin after monsoon.<br /><br />Shinde visited Nandeli village in Raigarh district by helicopter to meet the family members of slain state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel.</p>
<p>Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who was on a visit to Chhattisgarh on Friday after returning from the US, said that there was prima facie evidence that some security lapses led to the May 25 Maoist ambush in Bastar.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking to the media at the Raj Bhavan after reviewing the situation arising out of the attack, he called it an act of terror. “The ongoing inquiry by the NIA will reveal whether there was any intelligence failure or any other conspiracy,” the home minister added.<br />Setting aside political differences with the BJP-led state government, Shinde announced that the Centre and Chhattisgarh government would work in unison to deal with the Maoists. “We have asked the investigating agencies to bring out the truth without being influenced by anything. We have urged the Chhattisgarh government to extend all possible assistance to them,” he added.<br /><br />In reply to a question, Shinde said Maoist attacks demonstrate terrorist methods rather than an exercise for social change. “There were perceptions that this problem was due to the backwardness or lack of development, but the way the Maoists are targeting people, there is no word other than terror to describe this. Nobody can justify the killings,” he said.<br /><br />Shinde suggested establishment of a commando force on the lines of elite Grey Hounds of Andhra Pradesh to provide specialised protection in all the Maoist-affected states. <br />Asked about the alleged political conspiracy that links the names of some Congress leaders to this attack, the Union home minister said that there should not be any politics over the incident. “Already two inquiries, one by the NIA and another judicial probe, have been ordered. They will bring out the facts,” he added. <br /><br />Shinde added that operations in the Maoist-infested areas, including Chhattisgarh, might begin after monsoon.<br /><br />Shinde visited Nandeli village in Raigarh district by helicopter to meet the family members of slain state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel.</p>