PC Offers to Quit over Naxal Attack, PM Rejects Resignation: Reports

Taking full responsibility of the Dantewada attack in which 76 security personnel were killed, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has offered to step down from his post, said media reports citing unnamed sources.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, which he wrote after returning from Chhattisgarh, Chidambaram offered to resign, said reports.

The Prime Minister, however, dismissed the resignation, reports said citing unnamed sources.

Earlier in the day, he took full responsibility of the attack, saying that ‘buck stops at my desk’.

“I have been asked directly or indirectly where the buck stops after the attack. The buck stops at my desk,” he was quoted as saying at a CRPF function in New Delhi.

The minister said that he had given it in black and white to Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh that ‘I accept full responsibility’, said reports.

He avoided dwelling on the issue anymore, saying, “Let me not elaborate.”

He made these remarks while addressing the ‘Shourya Diwas’ (valour day) of CRPF.

In his address, Chidambaram lauded the sacrifices of the paramilitary force and said that the government was trying to ensure that personnel from it were well-paid, well-housed and well-equipped, said reports.

Besides, he said that his Ministry would make sure that the families of killed jawans got compensation by the end of this month and one member from each of them got a job, reports said.

He said that the government would always stand by the security forces that carried out their duties to make sure that people could live in freedom, liberty and democracy, said reports.

“I am proud of the innumerable duties the CRPF is called upon to perform. I salute all those who laid down their lives and my heart goes out to their families,” Chidambaram was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)