Mayawati flayed for deteriorating law and order



New Delhi: Congress and BJP on Monday lashed out at Mayawati government for the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, saying even Dalits were not safe in the state headed by a person from the same community.

Both the parties were reacting separately to the recent incidents of atrocities against Dalit girls in Fatehpur and Banda districts.

"The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has completely deteriorated. Dalit girls in their own houses are no longer safe in a state where a Dalit lady is the chief minister. Can there be a worst situation for the dispossessed, the Dalits of the state?" BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

She was reacting to the latest case of atrocity against a 16-year Dalit girl whose ear, nose and part of her hand were chopped off by three youths when she resisted their attempt to rape her in Bindaki area of Fatehpur district.

"The National Commission for Women also has said that there is absolutley not even an FIR to file (sic). The state has been moving from one state of abysmal law and order situation to another," Sitharaman said.

BJP demanded that the BSP government make the state safe for people from all sections, particularly women.

"Law and order has to be immediately restored. There is no faith left there. The cases against Dalit women should be tried in fast-track courts," Sitharaman said.

She alleged that even officials and engineers were not safe in Uttar Pradesh.

"People are not getting justice. Even FIRs are not being filed. MLAs and MPs are also alleged to be involved in these crimes. Surely, the Chief Minister would not like to go to elections with this kind of a record. We demand immediate action," Sitharaman said.

Congress also came out with a strong reaction, saying the Mayawati government which came to power on the law and order issue, had failed on this front.

"Mayawati came to power promising that she will imporve law and order and take strong action against criminals but in last years (of BSP's rule), it is clear that criminals, are occupying the seats of power. They are getting shelter under Mayawati government," senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh said.

PTI