Congress slams BJP government for deteriorating law and order

In wake of train hijacking incident on Wednesday, to free an undertrial in Durg district, Congress today slammed the BJP government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Raipur: In the wake of the train hijacking incident on Wednesday, to free an undertrial in Durg district, the main opposition Congress today slammed the BJP government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The party has alleged that incidents of loot, murder, rape, molestation and theft are on the rise and people are living in fear.

"Incidents of loot, murder, rape and molestation continue to increase in the state and it seems the government is not at all serious to maintain law and order," Congress spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said. "The recent incident of hijacking a train to free a criminal has shocked everyone. The reckless attitude of the government machinery is responsible for increase in crime," he said. There is need to make the police more responsive to security needs of citizens and particularly vulnerable sections like women, elderly and children who need special attention, he said. Recently, around eight armed criminals allegedly "hijacked" the Gondia-Durg Jan Shatabdi Express near Kumhari railway station of the district on Wednesday, to free an undertrial Upendra Singh who is accused in a kidnapping case. The incident took place when Singh was returning to Bilaspur in the train under a police escort comprising two constables and a head constable, after attending a court hearing at Durg, the police said. At a place between Charoda and Sarona railway stations, the criminals allegedly attacked the police escorts with chilli powder and country made guns. Later, they reached the engine room and allegedly forced the driver and his assistant under gunpoint to stop the train at a place specified by them. They managed to flee with the undertrial Upendra Singh near Kevalyadham, located on the Durg-Raipur border, he said. The police arrested three culprits who were involved in the crime on Thursday while a manhunt is on to nab the other criminals including Upendra Singh. A cash reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to Singh`s arrest, has also been announced by the police. Singh is among the main culprits allegedly involved in kidnapping a businessman called Jaichand Baid, in 2003. PTI