Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker expresses grief over ASP Akash Rao Giripunje's demise, says "cowardly act by Naxals"

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 9 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Raman Singh expressed grief over the demise of officer in a Naxalite-triggered pressure IED blast on Monday.
Earlier today, a pressure Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast occurred near Dondra on Konta-Errabora road, due to which ASP Konta Division, Sukma district, Akash Rao Giripunje sustained serious injuries, according to IG Bastar P Sundarraj.
Expressing sorrow over the demise of ASP Konta Division, District Sukma, Akash Rao Giripunje, Singh said, "We got sad news of the demise of ASP Akash Rao Giripunje in an IED blast. This is a cowardly act by the Naxals. I condemn it. After 2009, this was the first incident of the death of a senior police officer. "
IG Sundarraj, in a statment, said some other officers and jawans were injured due to the IED blast.
"A pressure IED blast near Dondra on Konta-Errabora road; ASP Konta Division, District Sukma, Akash Rao Giripunje sustains serious injuries. Some other officers and jawans have also been injured in this pressure IED blast", IG Sundarraj said.
According to IG, ASP Giripunje was on foot patrol duty to prevent any Naxalite incident, given the call by CPI (M) for Bharat Bandh on June 10. IG Sundarraj also mentioned that all the injured are being treated at the Konta Hospital. Meanwhile, ASP Giripunje's condition is critical. Efforts are being made to shift him to a higher medical centre soon for better treatment.
"ASP Akash Rao Giripunje was on foot patrol duty in the area to prevent any kind of Naxalite incident in view of the call for Bharat Bandh on 10 June by CPI(M). All the injured are being treated at Konta Hospital. Among the injured, the condition of ASP Akash Rao is very serious and critical. The other injured are currently out of danger. Efforts are on to shift Additional SP Akash Rao to a higher medical centre soon for better treatment", IG Sundarraj added.(ANI)