Law and order situation has worsened in Gujarat: Modhwadia

Gandhinagar, Mar 12 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Arjun Modhwadia today alleged that the law and order situation in Gujarat has deteriorated under the present regime.

In a debate on the budgetary demands of the Home Department, Mr Modhwadia said the state has recorded over 17,300 unnatural deaths during the last one year.

Over 5,000 people have committed suicide in the state during the period, he said adding that the figure of 17,300 exceeds the casualties suffered in the wars against Pakistan and China.

Seven children were kidnapped in the first week of January 2007 alone, he said while alleging that even religious places are not safe as evidenced by 187 thefts, twelve incidents of lootings, and murder of eleven saints in various temples of Gujarat.

Mr Modhwadia alleged that some police officers in the state were making false claims of encounters with terrorists to enhance their image.

However, Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah refuted the allegations and claimed the crime rate in Gujarat was much less as compared to other states.

Steps have been taken to modernise the police force in the state, he said. During the last seven years, an amount of Rs 570 crore have been spent on modernisation of the force while for the year 2007-08, an allocation of Rs 135 crore has been made in the state budget, Mr Shah added.

UNI