Mayawati swears by women's safety in UP

CM asks opposition not to politicise incidents of rape

Mayawati, dismissing the allegations that her government had failed to protect women,  launched a counter attack on the opposition counselling them not to try to gain ‘political mileage’ out of such incidents.

The chief minister, addressing a press conference here,  said her government had approved amendments in some sections of the CrPC to ensure  the trail is completed in six months.

“The government will bring an ordinance to make rape a non-bailable offence, even attack with an intention of molestation will be brought under this,” she said. Coming down heavily on the opposition for attacking her government, Mayawati said  many of the cases reported by the media were not true.

“In their attempt to outdo  each other,   TV channels sometimes air incorrect news which has an adverse impact on the people,” she claimed. Mayawati said that she would soon preside over a meeting of the state administrative officers to assess the law and order situation in the state. It is expected that she could effect large-scale re-shuffling in the police department.

Apart from launching a  special campaign to prevent “persons of loose character” indulging in these kind of heinous crimes, the government will seek the help of the Institution of Family and NGOs to ensure that these persons are reformed.

Suspecting a conspiracy to  to malign the image of the government, Mayawati claimed the percentage of crimes against women in the state is far less in comparison to the Congress and BJP-ruled states.

Taking serious note of a reported statement by Chief Secretary Anup Mishra that “stray incidents” do happen in the state, the chief minister has saught an explanation from the officer. Mishra made these alleged remarks while replying to queries on the spate of rape cases in the state.

Rape victim kills self in UP

A 17-year-old girl in Baghpat district in Uttar Pradesh committed suicide on Tuesday after being  allegedly raped by two youths, one of whom was the brother of her friend.

The girl, who was on her way to attend class in a sewing institute at Mukari village on Monday, was reportedly lured by a friend to her house, from where she was allegedly molested by two youths. One of the victims was identified as Rinku. “She was very upset and locked herself in a room immediately after returning home,” said  family members.

The girl  was found hanging from the ceiling on Tuesday morning. An FIR has been lodged and the matter is being investigated, police said.