Lack of a comprehensive security plan and the deadly mistake of so many top state Congress leaders travelling together appeared to have led to the high casualty in Saturday's Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.
The initial assessment conducted by security agencies suggested that no comprehensive security plan was prepared for the state-wide 'parivartan yatra' launched by the Congress ahead of the assembly polls.
Sources said no standard operating procedures were planned for the leaders who have been travelling across the state particularly in Maoists dominated areas.
"It was just a basic security cover. No comprehensive plan. 'Thanas' are informed whenever the yatra passed through a particular area. It does not work that way for such political activities," a security official said.
Besides, there should have been enough intelligence about the area and the Maoists there, if the yatra was to pass through it. "But it seems, there was no such arrangement," he said.
In all extremists affected areas, there is always a "Road Opening Party" which sanitises the route before movement of any VIP or important engagement. But unfortunately, no such security drill was carried out in Jagdalpur where the incident had taken place.
Another fatal mistake was the movement of so many top state Congress leaders together in a convey which gave easy target to the Naxals.
Travelling in batches could have avoided such a high casualty.
There is also feeling in security establishment that there was not enough security in the convoy in proportion to the Congress leaders and the guards could have fought back had their strength been sizeable.
