Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday slammed the “dirty politics” being played out over the killing of eight SIMI operatives by police and said the slain men were “dreaded terrorists” who could have wreaked devastation.
Speaking to reporters after paying tributes to Head Constable Ramashankar Yadav, who was killed by activists while escaping from Bhopal Central Jail on Monday, Chouhan said he was pained to see that certain politicians were making a “hue and cry over the terrorists but not saying a word of solace for the martyred policemen”.
“They are unable to see the sacrifice of Ramashankar Yadav. These were the same terrorists who first killed Shivpratap Kushwaha (policeman) in Ratlam and then they murdered Sitaram Yadav (policeman) in Khandwa and now Ramashankar Yadav.”
“...had there been some solidarity and sympathy for the martyred jawans...I would have understood. But, they are playing vote-bank politics over incidents like these,” he told reporters.
Chouhan said Yadav tried to “single-handedly” fight the terrorists and stop them from escaping and being a “dutiful officer” he laid down his life in the line of duty. “This is such a patriotic family, whose two sons are still serving to protect the country’s borders,” he said, referring to the fact that both Yadav’s sons are in the Army.
He said the state government will “take care” of the family and has announced a ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for Yadav’s family and another ₹5 lakh for the marriage of his daughter which is slated in December this year.
“This colony where he (Yadav) lived will be named Shaheed Ramashankar Yadav Colony and a statue of his will also be installed. Funds are not a constraint and more aid and money will be provided to the family when it is required,” the CM added.