Mayawati blames UP officials lackadaisical attitude for increasing crime

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday sharpened her attack on Akhilesh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh Government in wake of the Bulandshahr gang-rape incident and alleged that the crime was increasing in the state courtesy the lackadaisical attitude of the officials.

Asserting that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should make his officials aware of their responsibilities, Mayawati called for diligent action while probing the criminal cases.

"It has been found that police officials, who should be doing their duties with full alertness, are not performing their duties diligently. As per a recent survey, the police officials were found sleeping at the time of work at 25 places. So, this is the main reason that law and order in Uttar Pradesh is going for a toss," said Mayawati.

"It is the responsibility of the SP Government in Uttar Pradesh to make the officials aware of their responsibilities. This is the only way to reduce crime in the state. Secondly, the UP Government should under a special initiative arrest all the criminals, who are wandering free in the state," she added.

Yesterday, the family members of the victims threatened suicide if stringent punishment was not meted out to the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

"We were looted, beaten up and we all know what they did to my daughter...I want my wife and daughter to punish them. If they are not punished within three months, then all three of us will commit suicide," said the cab driver, whose family was attacked and subjected to hours of unspeakable horror.

"We dialed 100 for 15 minutes, but got either a busy tone or no response. Finally, I called my friend and he called the police," he added.

Four police officers have been suspended.

The three men, who have been arrested, were yesterday sent to 14-day judicial custody. Four other accused are, however, still absconding.

The incident took place on Friday night when a 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter were allegedly gang-raped by a group of robbers in Bulandshahr district.

The victims were on their way from Noida to Shahjahanpur with the other family members when their vehicle was stopped near a cycle repairing shop in Dostpur village on NH-9, which connects Noida and Bulandshahr.