JOIN USMulayam tells son to get tough
Increasing incidents of violence and the government’s ‘failure’ to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh prompted Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav to summon his son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, and seek tough measures against troublemongers to instill confidence among the people.
He sought stern action against trouble-mongers and measures to instil confidence in the common people.
Akhilesh had a meeting with Mulayam at the SP headquarters here on Saturday.
He reportedly briefed the SP president about the steps taken by his government to deal with the incidents of communal violence.
In the past few days, a spate of communal clashes across several cities coupled with vandalisation of the statues of Dalit icons, including those of B R Ambedkar and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, have dented the image of the government.
It also provided ammunition to opposition parties to attack the CM.
“Mulayam expressed concern over the violent incidents in the state capital and other cities after the special Friday prayers. The rioters had a free run. Police remained mute spectators instead of trying to disperse the mob and apprehend the trouble-mongers,” said a senior SP leader, who was privy to the discussion.
Quick action
He added that Mulayam had asked Akhilesh to tighten the screw and shunt lax officials.
According to the sources, Akhilesh has promised quick and effective action against the rising incidents of violence.
And a major reshuffle in the police department appears to be on the card.
Earlier also, Mulayam had asked the chief minister to
improve the worsening law and order situation.
Mulayam had also alleged that some officials, who were close to the previous regime, had been trying to tarnish the image of the SP government.
There have been at least six incidents of communal violence in different parts of state during the past five months, in which five people lost their lives while many others sustained injuries.
It raised a question mark on the young chief minister’s pledge to give a ‘bhaya mukta’ — free from fear — society.