Lucknow, December 30: Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government for deteriorating law and order condition in the state on Sunday. The former chief minister blamed the BJP government’s ‘thok do’ (shoot to kill) attitude for the rising violence and mob lynching culture which led to the killing of a policeman – head constable Suresh Vats – in Ghazipur mob violence on Saturday.

Expressing his dissatisfaction on the law and order situation of the state, Yadav blamed CM Adityanath’s alleged orders to encounter criminals has led to confusion among the police force. Speaking to news agency ANI, Yadav said, “Ye ghatna isliye ghati hai kyunki CM sadan mein ho ya manch pe ho unki ek hi bhasha hai ‘thok do’. Kabhi police ko nahi samjh aata kise ‘thokna’ hai kabhi janta ko nahi samajh aata kise ‘thokna’ hai. (This incident happened because the chief minister keeps saying ‘thok do’ (shoot them), whether he is in the office or on the stage. Sometimes police cannot understand who to ‘thokna’ (shoot) and sometimes people cannot understand whom to shoot.” Ghazipur, Bulandshahr 'Isolated Incidents', Says BJP MP Udit Raj After Mob Kills Another UP Police Officer.

Facing criticism for allegedly failing to control the mob violence in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered the police administration to take stern action against the perpetrators. With Suresh Vats’ killing, this is the second such incident within a month where the mob attacked the policeman. Earlier on December 3, SHO Subodh Kumar Singh was killed by a mob in Bulandshahr as mob became violent on the alleged reports of cow slaughter.

Acting tough and quick, state police have arrested 19 people associated with the case and have filed an FIR against 32 people. Due to the violent protest by Nishad Party workers – demanding the release of the arrested party’s workers – stone pelting took place in Ghazipur, and five policeman were injured, leading to the death of head constable Suresh Vats. The party staged the protest soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in the district.

Meanwhile, CM Adityanath has offered a compensation of Rs 40 lakh to the victim’s family. A Sit has been formed by the police to nab the other perpetrators, and the investigation is underway.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2018 03:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).