Attack on girl in UP shocking: Cong

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Dubbing the recent maiming of ateenager for resisting rape in Uttar Pradesh as "shocking",the Centre today said the state government should actimmediately to maintain the rule of law.

"It is really shocking...this means people have nofear of law. I think the state government should actimmediately to ensure that the rule of law is guaranteed tothe people, particularly those who represent the vulnerablesections of the society," Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moilytold reporters here.

While maintaining that law and order was a statesubject, Moily said such incidents "make us realise that thesystem to create fear among the criminals who indulge in suchcrimes needs to be addressed seriously."

The 16-year-old was maimed for resisting the rapeattempt. The girl was seriously injured when three youthsslashed her nose, ear and a part of her hand after sheresisted a rape attempt in Bindaki area in Fatehpur districton Saturday last.

Assaulted with a sharp-edged weapon, the girl suffereda dozen deep gashes on her face, head and hand.