Re-examine strategy: Raman

The attack drew criticism from political parties,who called for all-out efforts to neutralise the threat. India cannot be seen as a soft state and this menace has to be fought in a comprehensive manner, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said,The attack is reprehensible and abhorrent,to say the least. The killing of innocent civilians is a manifestation of their frustration.

Home Secretary G K Pillai said the attack showed that Maoists have total disregard for human life.

Meanwhile,a group of civil rights activists prominent among them writers Mahasweta Devi,Romila Thapar and Arundhati Roy made a case for the government to go in for dialogue with the Naxals.

Following the attack,the Centre asked Orissa,Bihar,West Bengal,Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to take maximum precaution during the 48-hour bandh called by Maoists beginning Tuesday.