Raipur, May 31
The Centre and Chhattisgarh Government will launch joint action against Maoists in Bastar in the days to come, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today after talks with Chief Minister Raman here.

"After a discussion on the incident, we have decided to take a joint action," said Shinde emerging from an hour-long meeting with Singh here. "Chief Minister Raman Singh told me that this time we will not put any demand (to Centre), except we want support.

Central forces will support the state in joint operation", Shinde said six days after Naxals had carried out an audacious attack in south Bastar on May 25 killing 27 persons, including PCC chief Nand Kumar Patel and senior leader Mahendra Karma.

Shinde asked every Naxal-affected state to develop Greyhound force (on the lines of Andhra Pradesh) to combat Maoists and said "the Centre would offer help in this area".

State Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar, Union Home Secretary R K Singh, CRPF Director General Pranay Sahay and Chhattisgarh DGP Ramniwas were among those who attended today's meeting between Shinde and Raman Singh at the Raj Bhavan.

About the attack, Shinde said "in the preliminary investigation, it seems that there are security lapses but an inquiry will further reveal it.

"So far, we were thinking that this (violence) would be some other way of movement. But in 2010 incident (Tadmetla massacre in which 76 security personnel were killed) and May 25 (attack on Congress rally) we have seen it is nothing other than a terror (activity)," he added.

Earlier today, Shinde visited the family-members of Nand Kumar Patel at his native Nadeli village in Raigarh district.

Balak Patel, a relative of Nand Kumar's, complained to Shinde about the security lapses and apparent 'political conspiracy' behind the incident. He also alleged that state government had failed to make proper use of security forces provided by the Centre.

To which Shinde said: "We have ordered an enquiry of CBI level. The investigation will reveal who are responsible for the incident. I will look at your grievances and justice will be done to your family."

Talking to reporters later, Shinde said the May 25 attack was bigger than a terror strike. "The incident is bigger than terrorism," he said. — PTI