aking strong exception to an incident of a woman candidate being molested and a futile attempt being made to disrobe her during the nomination process for block pramukh elections in Lakhimpur Kheri on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the suspension of the local station house officer and a circle officer on Friday.
While chairing a review meeting of Team-9 in Lucknow on Friday, the Chief Minister sought a detailed report on acts of violence and indecency in districts during the nomination process on Thursday.
The CM ordered the suspension of the SHO of Pasgawan police station and the circle officer for failing to prevent indecency with the woman candidate. He ordered strict action against other police officers present on the spot and against the miscreants .
“During the polling for block pramukh seats, police force across the State should be extra vigilant and sensitive. All necessary action should be taken by confiscating weapons,” said Yogi.
The senior officers should ensure prompt action in districts where untoward incidents have been reported and lax and insensitive officers posted on the spot and looking the other way should be penalised, Yogi Adityanath warned.
On Thursday, when Samajwadi Party candidate Ritu Singh reached Pasgwan block of Lakhimpur to file her nomination papers for the block pramukh seat, some people snatched and tore her paper, took away her purse and some others even tried to pull her saree.
Soon after the incident, Ritu Singh told media persons that supporters of her rival and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Rekha Verma were involved in the indecent and unlawful act and police personnel and officials present on the scene did nothing.
However, on Friday, police arrested accused Yash Verma for misbehaving with the woman candidate. Police clarified that the accused was among the supporters of an Independent candidate and the incident was being thoroughly investigated.
Commenting on the brazen incident, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said Ritu Singh was disrespected and had to face the BJP goons while forwarding her nomination papers.
“Samajwadi Party stands with her. Everything stolen from her must be returned. The UP chief minister is encouraging these goons,” he charged.
