Twelve Deaths in a Day. Is Law and Order ‘Best’ in UP?

New Delhi: Chief Minister Adityanath's claim that Uttar Pradesh has become a role model for the country for its ‘best’ law and order, seems to be falling flat with the situation sharply deteriorating in the state. In just one day, 12 murder cases have been reported in two separate places in the state ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

On Wednesday, July 17, two policemen were gunned down in Sambhal district as unidentified assailants opened fire at a jail van and helped three undertrials escape from custody. The incident took place at Dhannumal crossing near Banither village when a police van which was returning to Moradabad with 24 undertrial prisoners after hearings in a Chandausi court, was attacked by some people, a police official confirmed.

On the same day, 10 villagers were shot dead and about 20 were injured over a land dispute in Sonbhadra district. There were three women among the dead. According to reports, the killings took place on Wednesday afternoon during a dispute over a piece of land between two groups. During the fight, both groups opened fire and attacked each other with sickles. The fight continued for over an hour.

As per reports, the deceased and injured belonged to the Gond tribe. Nine people died on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. The police have filed an FIR against 61 people and have arrested 24 others.

Speaking to Newsclick, ex-IG (UP police) SR Darapuri said, "The Adityanath government claimed that there is rule of law in the state but the criminals are not afraid of rule of law. They are attacking the police itself. This shows that the claim of the government of having controlled crime is not true.”

He said the Adityanath government claiming the number of encounters as an ‘achievement’ and publicising the fact that criminals from Uttar Pradesh had been put in jail or had fled, does not show any positive impact on control or reduction of crime. “There are lots of complains about fake encounters where innocent persons are being picked up and hit in the feet and leg. On the other side, innocent people are alo being killed in broad daylight," he added.

Lucknow-based human rights organisation Rihai Manch's general secretary, Rajiv Yadav, told Newsclick, "There is no data on how many cops died under Adityanath government, but as reported by the media, a total of nine police personnel have been killed in two years of his rule….Both criminals and cops are shooting each other while this government thumps its chest on fake encounters."

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Upper House of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on the first day of the monsoon session with the Opposition forcing adjournment of the legislative council soon after it met.

Samajwadi Party members created an uproar over the death of 10 people in Sonbhadra district and two cops in Sambhal district. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have both slammed the Adityanath government for the incident.

Also Read: AP Tops List of ‘Fake Encounter’ Killing Complaints, UP is Second