UP considering slapping stringent NSA on rape accused

Faced with public outrage at growing incidents of crime against women, the Uttar Pradesh government Friday said it was considering slapping the National Security Act (NSA) on those attacking and assaulting women.

Principal Secretary (Home) R.M. Srivastava told reporters that action was also being taken against errant police officials for failing in their duties.

Referring to a case in Etawah where a girl was gang-raped and then set ablaze, he said a magisterial probe had been ordered and officials have been directed to arrest the culprits as soon as possible.

In the Pratapgarh case where a rape victim's tongue was cut to prevent her from testifying in the court against the accused, the government was exploring possibility of invoking NSA on the accused.

With regards to the murder of a four-year-old, allegedly after sexual assault in Lucknow a few days ago, a state government spokesman said the station officer concerned has been suspended and departmental action initiated against him.

The stringent NSA provides for preventive detention for reasons like maintaining security, public order and so on.