Girl’s death rocks UP legislature; Oppn cry jungle raj, anarchy

The recovery of a teenaged girl’s body near the Chief Minister’s residence rocked the Uttar Pradesh legislature on Tuesday, as Opposition members targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP) government alleging that “jungle raj” and “anarchy” have been unleashed in the state during its rule.

Chairman of the Legislative Council Om Prakash Sharma asked the state government to probe alleged laxity by policemen, who have been accused of failing to take immediate action after the girl went missing.

In the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alleged that the state government had failed to ensure law and order due to which there was an “atmosphere of fear”. The recovery of the body of a Class 12 girl near the CM’s residence showed that there was no “fear” of police among unscrupulous elements, he claimed. Maurya, thereafter, staged a walkout from the House. He was soon joined by Congress members, who made similar allegations against the SP government.

“The government should ensure law and order,” Congress Legislative Party leader Pradeep Mathur said, adding that the “people of the state are agitated due to the lawlessness”.

The proceedings of Legislative Council had to be adjourned for 15 minutes, following protest by BSP, Congress and BJP members over law and order issue.

While the Leader of the Opposition in the Council, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, raised the question of law and order through an adjournment notice, other opposition members, including those from BSP, BJP and Congress, stormed the well of the Upper House, raising anti-government slogans.