Encounters fail to deter criminals

Six encounters in four and a half months this year and yet no let-up in crime. This is the state of law and order situation in the district. And the manner in which crime scene is unfolding itself, it becomes clear that criminals are undeterred by the police action against them. Not the police, but outlaws are calling the shots and cops are playing a second fiddle.

Six encounters in four and a half months this year and yet no let-up in crime.

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This is the state of law and order situation in the district. And the manner in which crime scene is unfolding itself, it becomes clear that criminals are undeterred by the police action against them. Not the police, but outlaws are calling the shots and cops are playing a second fiddle.

The attempt on the life of a journalist Hazari Lal Kushwaha associated with a Hindi daily Hindustan last night in Naini has sent shock waves in media circles.

What is worse, the accused is a history-sheeter under the same police station and has as many as 12 criminal cases against him.

He was last nabbed by the Muthiganj police under NDPS Act in the year 2002 and after his bail had been roaming around in the same area and committing crime one after the other with impunity.

The generous approach of the Naini police towards this hardened criminal in letting him go scot-free all these years obviously forces one to think on two lines: Either the cops are not bothered about the criminals in their area or they are hand in glove with them. With the bullet damaging his liver and intestines, Hazari Lal is battling for his life in a nursing home. Till now the cause behind the attack could not be known except for the fact that the accused and the victim are residents of the same Arail village across the Yamuna river.

What is more shocking is the fact that all districts in the state following DGP's directive are carrying out a drive against criminals in a bid to curb crime.

If sources are correct, the drive is meant to refurbish the state government's image which has taken a nose dive.