Gadchiroli naxal attack: DSP suspended for lapses

MUMBAI: A senior police officer has been suspended by the home ministry for alleged lapses in enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs), which could have prevented massacre of 15 policemen and a driver in a Maoist ambush in Gadchiroli on May 1.
The issue was raised by the opposition benches who demanded immediate suspension of DSP Shailesh Kale and other senior officers involved in the lapses which led to the deaths of police martyrs.
"The government has been announcing that there is a detailed inquiry, but we need immediate action against officials responsible for failure in following SOPs," opposition leader Dhananjay Munde said.
"The government would suspend the DSP as the inquiry is complete,"said minister of state for home, Deepak Kesarkar. Replying to questions by the council, he said the next of kin of the martyrs would be given jobs and if there is any issue regarding financial assistance or jobs, it will be resolved in a week.
Sixteen people, including 15 policemen, were killed when naxals blew up their vehicle by triggering an IED blast.
"Presence of the CRPF personnel, who were stationed in the area, could have ensured better patrolling of the stretch where the attack took place. The police team should have used Mine Protected Vehicles and those (policemen) travelling in a private vehicle should have been asked to be in civil dress to create an element of surprise," sources said.
The men travelling in a private Mahindra mini truck were ambushed and killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. They were heading out of the Kurkheda police station.
Police source said that there was also a protocol of sending an area domination unit to recce the road ahead — which is the usual practice — the QRT unit did not also wait for an anti-landmine vehicle to arrive before deciding to travel in a private vehicle.