&nbsp;As many as 15 people have lost their lives after 14 districts in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-at-least-29-dead-after-bus-falls-into-drain-on-yamuna-expressway-233878&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwicoOa6krHjAhXLfCsKHbmLBn8QFjAEegQIERAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw04IQrdkv6jta5St6q1HxyN">Uttar Pradesh</a> witnessed torrential <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-receive-below-average-monsoon-rains-in-next-two-weeks-imd-235233&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjLz6DgkrHjAhXFF3IKHXpWDvEQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0s5dHG8hL2H3reGmUOmsFW">rainfall</a> and thunderstorm in the past three days.

According to official data,15 people died, 23 animals were killed while 133 buildings collapsed due to rain-related incidents in the past four days, that is, from July 9 to 12.

Among the districts that were affected by the natural calamity are Unnao, Ambedkar Nagar, Prayagraj, Barabanki, Hardoi, Khiri, Gorakhpur, Kanpur Nagar, Pilibhit, Sonabhadra, Chandoli, Firozabad, Mau and Sultanpur.

The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-meteorological-department-predicts-heavy-rainfall-in-uttarakhand-234250&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjLz6DgkrHjAhXFF3IKHXpWDvEQFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Vl5pFY2YQLbSgtu4RDHLS">Indian Meteorological Department</a> (IMD) has predicted "partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers" for Saturday and the next five days in Lucknow.

According to IMD, heavy rainfall at isolated places over Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa, Coastal Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura is expected on Saturday. (ANI)&nbsp;

As many as 15 people have lost their lives after 14 districts in Uttar Pradesh witnessed torrential rainfall and thunderstorm in the past three days. According to official data,15 people died, 23 animals were killed while 133 buildings collapsed due to rain-related incidents in the past four days, that is, from July 9 to 12.

As many as 15 people have lost their lives after 14 districts in Uttar Pradesh witnessed torrential rainfall and thunderstorm in the past three days. According to official data,15 people died, 23 animals were killed while 133 buildings collapsed due to rain-related incidents in the past four days, that is, from July 9 to 12. Among the districts that were affected by the natural calamity are Unnao, Ambedkar Nagar, Prayagraj, Barabanki, Hardoi, Khiri, Gorakhpur, Kanpur Nagar, Pilibhit, Sonabhadra, Chandoli, Firozabad, Mau and Sultanpur. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted "partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers" for Saturday and the next five days in Lucknow. According to IMD, heavy rainfall at isolated places over Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa, Coastal Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura is expected on Saturday. (ANI)

15 dead, 133 buildings collapse as rainfall wreaks havoc in Uttar Pradesh

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Friday alleged that while farmers were suffering, Rs 5,50,000 crore of big industrialists were waived by the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's friends recorded profits of Rs 10,000 crore in last five years.

Addressing an election meeting here, she also hit out at Modi, claiming that he talks about Pakistan and other "absurd" issues, but never about the problems of the people. The Congress general secretary termed the present BJP government 'ahankari' (egotistical), alleging that it spreads anger, hatred and negativity.

She alleged that when farmers of a number of states, including MP, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, went to Delhi for protests, the Prime Minister did not come out of his bungalow for five minutes to hear their grievances.

"Now they are highlighting 'Kisan samman yojna' and promising Rs 6,000 per year. When Congress asked the government to waive loans of farmers, it was said that there is no money in the economy.&nbsp;

"If you do not have money, how were Rs 550 thousand crores of big industrialists waived. Where does the insurance money of farmers go? While you (farmers) were suffering, companies of PM's friends recorded profits of Rs 10,000 crore in past five years," Priyanka Gandhi alleged.

Claiming that the Congress government had waived loans in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, she said, "When intentions are good loan waiver starts in three days, but when they are bad 'ahankari' leader talks big from dais and leaves." She said there were false propaganda and negativity in politics but people should never forget their power.&nbsp;

"We are here because of you (people). You all should not forget your power. Don't make (spreading) dirtiness and negativity in politics your habit and make a change. Democracy has given you power," Priyanka Gandhi said&nbsp;

"When he (PM) comes before you he never talks about your problems. He talks of the past, Pakistan and other absurd issues. He did a world tour...Visited Pakistan ate 'biryani' there, visited Japan and played 'dhol', went to the US, Europe and other countries, but never to a single village in his parliamentary constituency to know about the real problems of the people," Priyanka Gandhi claimed.

On the stray cattle menace, she said the government made enclosures for stray animals after seeing the anger of farmers during elections. "But there is no arrangement for fodder and water there. Due to their policies, 12,000 farmers have committed suicide due to loans in the past five years," Priyanka Gandhi said.

She claimed that the BJP government's promise of giving Rs 15 lakh to every citizen was not met and GST and demonetisation ruined traders. Highlighting her party's manifesto, the Congress leader said that her party will make all sections of the society will stand on their own and the poor will be given Rs 72,000 per year and the 24 lakh vacant government jobs will be filled by March 2020.

She said that due to the faulty policies of the BJP, there was a loss of five crore jobs and promised that her government would give 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament so that their voice can be heard.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Friday alleged that while farmers were suffering, Rs 5,50,000 crore of big industrialists were waived by the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's friends recorded profits of Rs 10,000 crore in last five years.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Friday alleged that while farmers were suffering, Rs 5,50,000 crore of big industrialists were waived by the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's friends recorded profits of Rs 10,000 crore in last five years. Addressing an election meeting here, she also hit out at Modi, claiming that he talks about Pakistan and other "absurd" issues, but never about the problems of the people. The Congress general secretary termed the present BJP government 'ahankari' (egotistical), alleging that it spreads anger, hatred and negativity. She alleged that when farmers of a number of states, including MP, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, went to Delhi for protests, the Prime Minister did not come out of his bungalow for five minutes to hear their grievances. "Now they are highlighting 'Kisan samman yojna' and promising Rs 6,000 per year. When Congress asked the government to waive loans of farmers, it was said that there is no money in the economy. "If you do not have money, how were Rs 550 thousand crores of big industrialists waived. Where does the insurance money of farmers go? While you (farmers) were suffering, companies of PM's friends recorded profits of Rs 10,000 crore in past five years," Priyanka Gandhi alleged. Claiming that the Congress government had waived loans in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, she said, "When intentions are good loan waiver starts in three days, but when they are bad 'ahankari' leader talks big from dais and leaves." She said there were false propaganda and negativity in politics but people should never forget their power. "We are here because of you (people). You all should not forget your power. Don't make (spreading) dirtiness and negativity in politics your habit and make a change. Democracy has given you power," Priyanka Gandhi said "When he (PM) comes before you he never talks about your problems. He talks of the past, Pakistan and other absurd issues. He did a world tour...Visited Pakistan ate 'biryani' there, visited Japan and played 'dhol', went to the US, Europe and other countries, but never to a single village in his parliamentary constituency to know about the real problems of the people," Priyanka Gandhi claimed. On the stray cattle menace, she said the government made enclosures for stray animals after seeing the anger of farmers during elections. "But there is no arrangement for fodder and water there. Due to their policies, 12,000 farmers have committed suicide due to loans in the past five years," Priyanka Gandhi said. She claimed that the BJP government's promise of giving Rs 15 lakh to every citizen was not met and GST and demonetisation ruined traders. Highlighting her party's manifesto, the Congress leader said that her party will make all sections of the society will stand on their own and the poor will be given Rs 72,000 per year and the 24 lakh vacant government jobs will be filled by March 2020. She said that due to the faulty policies of the BJP, there was a loss of five crore jobs and promised that her government would give 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament so that their voice can be heard.

PM Modi talks about Pakistan, other 'absurd' issues but never about problems of people: Priyanka

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Congress is confused with respect to its candidate from Varanasi.&nbsp;

Shah said that BJP is clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to contest from the constituency. He will hold a roadshow in Kashi on April 25 and file his nomination on April 26," Shah said.&nbsp;

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Amit Shah on reports Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may contest from Varanasi: There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/7wEBTCwo2M">pic.twitter.com/7wEBTCwo2M</a>
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On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shah said that India is a democratic nation and anyone can contest.&nbsp;

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"There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here," he added.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Shah said the party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur was framed in false cases by those who had coined the term "Hindu terror" and indulged in vote bank politics.

He defended her candidature and called it an "absolutely right decision".

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Congress is confused with respect to its candidate from Varanasi. Shah said that BJP is clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to contest from the constituency.

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Congress is confused with respect to its candidate from Varanasi. Shah said that BJP is clear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to contest from the constituency. He will hold a roadshow in Kashi on April 25 and file his nomination on April 26," Shah said. Amit Shah on reports Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may contest from Varanasi: There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/7wEBTCwo2M — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × On Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shah said that India is a democratic nation and anyone can contest. BJP President Amit Shah: Sukhbir Singh Badal, Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and other NDA leaders will be present during nomination filing by PM Modi on April 26 https://t.co/05qXS3CWYV — ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019 × "There is democracy in the country, anyone can contest. Congress is in confusion, not us. Our candidate has been declared, Narendra Modi will contest election from here," he added. Earlier in the day, Shah said the party's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur was framed in false cases by those who had coined the term "Hindu terror" and indulged in vote bank politics. He defended her candidature and called it an "absolutely right decision".

Congress is in confusion, not us: Amit Shah on reports of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from Varanasi 

Veteran actress Jaya Prada joins BJP, may contest from Rampur

Preparations are underway in the Congress office in Lucknow to welcome their newly-appointed General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh West Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday.

&nbsp;Congress President Rahul Gandhi is slated to accompany Priyanka and Scindia.

Ahead of her first visit after being appointed as General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka said, "I am coming to Lucknow tomorrow and I wish that together we will begin a new politics and you be a part of it. Youth, women and marginalised, everyone's voices will be heard. Let's establish a new future and politics."

UP Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar said, "From February 18 onwards, Priyanka and Scindia will start public interactions in their respective areas."

Priyanka and Scindia would stay till February 14, while Rahul is expected to return on the same day.

Since the announcement of SP-BSP alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in the state where two parties will contest on 38 seats each, the Congress leadership has been leaving nothing unturned to retain the party’s lost ground in the state, where they won only two seats—Rae Bareli and Amethi—in the last Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Preparations are underway in the Congress office in Lucknow to welcome their newly-appointed General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh West Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday.

Preparations are underway in the Congress office in Lucknow to welcome their newly-appointed General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh West Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is slated to accompany Priyanka and Scindia. Ahead of her first visit after being appointed as General Secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka said, "I am coming to Lucknow tomorrow and I wish that together we will begin a new politics and you be a part of it. Youth, women and marginalised, everyone's voices will be heard. Let's establish a new future and politics." UP Congress Committee (UPCC) president Raj Babbar said, "From February 18 onwards, Priyanka and Scindia will start public interactions in their respective areas." Priyanka and Scindia would stay till February 14, while Rahul is expected to return on the same day. Since the announcement of SP-BSP alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in the state where two parties will contest on 38 seats each, the Congress leadership has been leaving nothing unturned to retain the party’s lost ground in the state, where they won only two seats—Rae Bareli and Amethi—in the last Lok Sabha polls.

Lucknow: Stage set to welcome Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jyotiraditya Scindia

A Delhi court Saturday sent to six-day NIA remand a man arrested by the agency from UP in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh sent 24-year-old Muhammed Absar to six-day remand.

Advocate Mohammed Noorullah, appearing for Absar, had opposed the National Investigation Agency's request for remand.

Absar, a resident of Jasora village in Meerut district of western Uttar Pradesh, had presented himself before the agency after being a served a notice under Section 41 of the CrPC but was later produced by the agency as arrested, according to Noorullah.

An NIA spokesperson said Absar was arrested by the agency from Hapur on Friday night. He said Absar used to teach at Jamia Husania Abul Hassan in Piplera area of Ghaziabad.

The NIA has so far arrested 12 people in connection with the case.

A Delhi court Saturday sent to six-day NIA remand a man arrested by the agency from UP in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India.

A Delhi court Saturday sent to six-day NIA remand a man arrested by the agency from UP in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh sent 24-year-old Muhammed Absar to six-day remand. Advocate Mohammed Noorullah, appearing for Absar, had opposed the National Investigation Agency's request for remand. Absar, a resident of Jasora village in Meerut district of western Uttar Pradesh, had presented himself before the agency after being a served a notice under Section 41 of the CrPC but was later produced by the agency as arrested, according to Noorullah. An NIA spokesperson said Absar was arrested by the agency from Hapur on Friday night. He said Absar used to teach at Jamia Husania Abul Hassan in Piplera area of Ghaziabad. The NIA has so far arrested 12 people in connection with the case.

ISIS module: NIA gets six-day remand of man arrested from UP

The BJP on Thursday said it does not see any grand alliance taking shape against it as there are many "gaps and contradictions" among opposition parties, even as it exuded confidence of increasing its tally in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls.

"The BJP's performance will be better in 2019 compared to 2014, when the party and its allies bagged a lion's share of 73 seats (of total 80 seats)," state BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey told PTI in an interview here.

Asked about the opposition parties' attempt to form a grand alliance to take on the BJP, he said, "I don't see it taking place. There are many gaps and contradictions among them. Even if it (alliance) is formed, it will not last."

Undeterred by the BSP and the SP eyeing the Dalit and OBC votes, besides the Muslim electorates, Pandey said his party was doing its own ground work.

"We are taking along the castes which they (SP, BSP) bank upon. We have recently held successful OBC conferences (between Sept 4-24) in which backward caste representatives from all over the state actively participated," he said.

The conference saw overwhelming response from the backward classes as they see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their leader, the UP BJP chief said.

"Besides, we are soon going to organise Dalit&nbsp;sammelan&nbsp;(conference) and 'prabuddh'(intellectuals') meet. These sections have only been cheated by previous SP and BSP regimes in the state. Only the BJP is the party which is really working with&nbsp;'sabka saath sabka vikas'&nbsp;motive. This is the reason for our success," he said.

He said that his party was working at several levels to increase its victory margin.

"We are highlighting our work at the centre and state and above all Modiji's personality, which will be presented before the people."

"At the organisation level, we are emphasising on ensuring our presence from booth to division to assembly and Lok Sabha segments. We are doing a micro-planning for that," he said.

Noting that the party has a lot to tell the people about the good work and projects its governments at the centre and state have initiated, Mr Pandey said, "We will reach out to people and inform them about these works and are confident of getting their positive response in terms of votes. No government has done such a good work till now."

"The party will bank on the "towering personality" of Modi ji, who is loved by all sections of the society due to this 'working style and aura'. Our leader is accepted by all. No other leader can stand in front of him. Opposition has not one (leader), who can challenge him," he asserted.

The BJP state president said he was "sure" his party will form the government at the centre again and UP's contribution will be remarkable.

Pandey's remarks assume significance amid reports of the SP and the BSP toying the idea of cobbling an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, barely few months away, as they had done in bye-elections to Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana constituencies of the Lower House, in which ruling BJP candidates were defeated.

Buoyed by this success, reports of bonhomie between SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and his BSP counterpart Mayawati started doing the rounds in political circles.

There were talks that the Congress too might be roped in in the proposed alliance. But in what is seen as a snub to the grand old party, Mayawati dumped it and tied up with the party of rebel Congress leader Ajit Jogi for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections and projected him as the chief ministerial candidate.

Also, the SP too suffered a setback when its stalwart Shivpal Yadav floated a new front as he felt he was being sidelined in the parent party.

"These gaps and contradictions will make our task further easy," said the state BJP president, who is a Lok Sabha member from Chandauli.

The BJP on Thursday said it does not see any grand alliance taking shape against it as there are many "gaps and contradictions" among opposition parties, even as it exuded confidence of increasing its tally in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP on Thursday said it does not see any grand alliance taking shape against it as there are many "gaps and contradictions" among opposition parties, even as it exuded confidence of increasing its tally in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls. "The BJP's performance will be better in 2019 compared to 2014, when the party and its allies bagged a lion's share of 73 seats (of total 80 seats)," state BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey told PTI in an interview here. Asked about the opposition parties' attempt to form a grand alliance to take on the BJP, he said, "I don't see it taking place. There are many gaps and contradictions among them. Even if it (alliance) is formed, it will not last." Undeterred by the BSP and the SP eyeing the Dalit and OBC votes, besides the Muslim electorates, Pandey said his party was doing its own ground work. "We are taking along the castes which they (SP, BSP) bank upon. We have recently held successful OBC conferences (between Sept 4-24) in which backward caste representatives from all over the state actively participated," he said. The conference saw overwhelming response from the backward classes as they see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their leader, the UP BJP chief said. "Besides, we are soon going to organise Dalit sammelan (conference) and 'prabuddh'(intellectuals') meet. These sections have only been cheated by previous SP and BSP regimes in the state. Only the BJP is the party which is really working with 'sabka saath sabka vikas' motive. This is the reason for our success," he said. He said that his party was working at several levels to increase its victory margin. "We are highlighting our work at the centre and state and above all Modiji's personality, which will be presented before the people." "At the organisation level, we are emphasising on ensuring our presence from booth to division to assembly and Lok Sabha segments. We are doing a micro-planning for that," he said. Noting that the party has a lot to tell the people about the good work and projects its governments at the centre and state have initiated, Mr Pandey said, "We will reach out to people and inform them about these works and are confident of getting their positive response in terms of votes. No government has done such a good work till now." "The party will bank on the "towering personality" of Modi ji, who is loved by all sections of the society due to this 'working style and aura'. Our leader is accepted by all. No other leader can stand in front of him. Opposition has not one (leader), who can challenge him," he asserted. The BJP state president said he was "sure" his party will form the government at the centre again and UP's contribution will be remarkable. Pandey's remarks assume significance amid reports of the SP and the BSP toying the idea of cobbling an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, barely few months away, as they had done in bye-elections to Gorakhpur, Phulpur and Kairana constituencies of the Lower House, in which ruling BJP candidates were defeated. Buoyed by this success, reports of bonhomie between SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and his BSP counterpart Mayawati started doing the rounds in political circles. There were talks that the Congress too might be roped in in the proposed alliance. But in what is seen as a snub to the grand old party, Mayawati dumped it and tied up with the party of rebel Congress leader Ajit Jogi for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections and projected him as the chief ministerial candidate. Also, the SP too suffered a setback when its stalwart Shivpal Yadav floated a new front as he felt he was being sidelined in the parent party. "These gaps and contradictions will make our task further easy," said the state BJP president, who is a Lok Sabha member from Chandauli.

Will increase seats tally in Uttar Pradesh in 2019: State BJP chief

Police in India&#39;s northern state of Uttar Pradesh have held three men they say were involved in the brutal gang rape of a woman and her minor teenage daughter by robbers at gunpoint on Friday night, even as the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) government came under intense flak. 
 
A total of 15 men had dragged the family -- travelling from Noida, a suburb of the Indian capital Delhi, to Shahjahanpur -- out of a car near here, tied up the men, and raped the mother and daughter.&nbsp; 
 
Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed, who was rushed to Bulandshahr by state chief minister Akhilesh Yadav after the incident, identified the three detained as Naresh (25), Bablu (22) and Rais (28). 
 
He said police had interrogated&nbsp;15 people, all of them belonging to a nomadic tribe, last evening. 
 
The three men held belonged to the Bawariya community and have been identified by the victims, he said, adding that all the culprits would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). 
 
As the incident acquired a political hue, the chief minister went into fire-fighting mode and suspended the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna, the superintendent of police (SP) Rammohan Singh, and the station house officer (SHO) Ramsen Singh, amid allegations of laxity by the police. 
 
The DGP, accompanied by the principal secretary (home), visited the site of the incident on the directions of the chief minister. 
 
The police chief however rubbished the charge that police had not acted swiftly, saying they reached the spot 20 minutes after they heard about the incident. And that the SSP had also got to the spot. 
 
Taking cognisance of the case, the national commission for women (NCW) said it has sent a member to meet the victims and officials in Uttar Pradesh but it added that it gets little cooperation from the state administration in cases like these. 
 
NCW chief Lalitha Kumaramangalam also questioned the detentions made by police, wondering whether the police had arrested the people actually involved in the gang rape.&nbsp; 
 
The Opposition alleged that the &quot;barbaric&quot; incident showed that &quot;goonda raj&quot; (lawlessness) was at its peak in the state; the state will go to the polls early in 2017. 
 
The ruling party at the centre, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticised the state government for laying down expressways and highways without caring for the safety and security of users, while the state opposition said heinous crimes like these pointed towards the deteriorating law and order situation and &quot;jungle raj&quot; (rule of the jungle) in the state. 
 
&quot;The SP government and its head must tell the people if they can return the modesty of women in such a painful and henious crime,&quot; the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said in a statement, adding comnon people, especially women, were not safe under the present dispensation. 
 
(PTI)

The CM suspends the senior superintendent & superintendent of police after allegations of laxity by the cops

Police in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh have held three men they say were involved in the brutal gang rape of a woman and her minor teenage daughter by robbers at gunpoint on Friday night, even as the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) government came under intense flak. A total of 15 men had dragged the family -- travelling from Noida, a suburb of the Indian capital Delhi, to Shahjahanpur -- out of a car near here, tied up the men, and raped the mother and daughter. Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed, who was rushed to Bulandshahr by state chief minister Akhilesh Yadav after the incident, identified the three detained as Naresh (25), Bablu (22) and Rais (28). He said police had interrogated 15 people, all of them belonging to a nomadic tribe, last evening. The three men held belonged to the Bawariya community and have been identified by the victims, he said, adding that all the culprits would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). As the incident acquired a political hue, the chief minister went into fire-fighting mode and suspended the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna, the superintendent of police (SP) Rammohan Singh, and the station house officer (SHO) Ramsen Singh, amid allegations of laxity by the police. The DGP, accompanied by the principal secretary (home), visited the site of the incident on the directions of the chief minister. The police chief however rubbished the charge that police had not acted swiftly, saying they reached the spot 20 minutes after they heard about the incident. And that the SSP had also got to the spot. Taking cognisance of the case, the national commission for women (NCW) said it has sent a member to meet the victims and officials in Uttar Pradesh but it added that it gets little cooperation from the state administration in cases like these. NCW chief Lalitha Kumaramangalam also questioned the detentions made by police, wondering whether the police had arrested the people actually involved in the gang rape. The Opposition alleged that the "barbaric" incident showed that "goonda raj" (lawlessness) was at its peak in the state; the state will go to the polls early in 2017. The ruling party at the centre, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticised the state government for laying down expressways and highways without caring for the safety and security of users, while the state opposition said heinous crimes like these pointed towards the deteriorating law and order situation and "jungle raj" (rule of the jungle) in the state. "The SP government and its head must tell the people if they can return the modesty of women in such a painful and henious crime," the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said in a statement, adding comnon people, especially women, were not safe under the present dispensation. (PTI)

3 held for brutal gang rape of mother, daughter in India's UP

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