Would ask P Chidambaram to look into Essar case: Charandas Mahant

RAIPUR: Union minister of state for agriculture, Charandas Mahant, today said here that he would urge the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to order probe into alleged payment of money by the corporate group Essar to the Naxals in Chhattisgarh.

Talking to reporters here, Mahant said if any multinational company was paying the Naxals, it was as good as encouraging the ultras.

Though it was essentially an issue in the purview of the state government, he would ask the Union Home Minister to look into it considering the seriousness, Mahant said.

The state itself may ask the Centre for help with the probe, he said.

On Saturday, Dantewada police in the state arrested B K Lala, a contractor with Essar, and one Lingaram Kodopi when they were allegedly carrying Rs 15 lakh which was to be paid to the Naxals on Essar's behalf.

Dantewada SP, Ankit Garg, had told PTI that police would question the company officials in this case.