Administrative and police records preceding the recent naxal attack in Chattisgarh point to a major security lapse on the part of district-level law enforcement authorities.

Evidence on the ground is pointing to the culpability of Chhattisgarh Police with the district superintendent of police failing to make adequate security provisions for the Congress convoy through Maoist territory.

Sources said no orders were issued by the Bastar Superintendent of Police tying up arrangements to ensure adequate security for Congress leaders as the convoy with Salwa Judum founder Mahendra Karma and state Congress Party chief Nand Kumar Patel was slated to pass through the area.

The absence of additional security apart from personal security officers (PSOs) accompanying the leaders has puzzled political observers as the area has been known to be a Maoist stronghold.