Mayawati flayed for deteriorating law and order

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Congress and BJP today lashed outat Mayawati government for the "deteriorating" law and ordersituation in Uttar Pradesh, saying even Dalits were notsafe in the state headed by a person from the same community.

Both the parties were reacting separately to the recentincidents of atrocities against Dalit girls in Fatehpur andBanda districts.

"The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh hascompletely deteriorated. Dalit girls in their own houses areno longer safe in a state where a Dalit lady is the chiefminister. Can there be a worst situation for the dispossessed,the Dalits of the state?" BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharamansaid.

She was reacting to the latest case of atrocity against a16-year Dalit girl whose ear, nose and part of her hand werechopped off by three youths when she resisted their attemptto rape her in Bindaki area of Fatehpur district.

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

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

"Law and order has to be immediately restored. There isno faith left there. The cases against Dalit women should betried in fast-track courts," Sitharaman said.

She alleged that even officials and engineers were notsafe in Uttar Pradesh.

"People are not getting justice. Even FIRs are not beingfiled. MLAs and MPs are also alleged to be involved in thesecrimes. Surely, the Chief Minister would not like to go toelections with this kind of a record. We demand immediateaction," Sitharaman said.

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

"Mayawati came to power promising that she will imporvelaw and order and take strong action against criminals but inlast years (of BSP''s rule), it is clear that criminals, areoccupying the seats of power. They are getting shelter underMayawati government," senior Congress leader Digvijay Singhsaid. .