Samajwadi Party MLA Reacts Strongly On Chandrashekhar Azad's Shooting, Says Attack A 'Proof Of Collapse Of Law And Order In UP'

The condition of Azad is reported to be stable now. According to the hospital authorities, he is out of danger.

Hours after Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was shot, the Uttar Pradesh government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have faced huge criticism from several leaders. Azad was shot on Wednesday night after his car was attacked by armed men in Deoband area of Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. Reacting strongly to the incident Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra said that the attack on Azad is a proof of collapse of law and order in the state.

"The attack on Chandrashekhar Azad is proof of the collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. The government has surrendered before criminals and gangsters," Mehrotra told PTI. He further said that the criminals and gangsters have become brazen enough to say in court that they will make the decisions after shooting someone in the presence of the police.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) called the shooting a “cowardly attack” and said that it reflects poorly on the state’s law and order.

"Cowardly attack on @BhimArmyChief Chandra Shekhar reflects poorly on the law and order situation of Uttar Pradesh.

"Assaults, political targeting and even assassinations have become common in Yogi's UP. BJP misrule and politics of hatred have turned Uttar Pradesh into Unruly Pradesh," Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja said in a tweet.

Azad (36) had gone to attend a "terhavin" ritual at a supporter's house in Saharanpur district's Deoband when the assailants fired multiple shots at his sports utility vehicle (SUV) as he was leaving.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and SP president Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the shooting and compared the law and order situation in the state with "jungle raaj".

"When the people's representatives are not safe under the BJP rule, then what will happen to the general public?" the Samajwadi Party chief asked.

Azad's convoy was shot at when it was passing through the Deoband area. A bullet brushed past Azad's waist and he was rushed to the government hospital for treatment. The Dalit leader was admitted to a local hospital with a bullet injury in his lower back. The condition of Azad is reported to be stable now.  According to the hospital authorities, he is out of danger. 

Superintendent of Police (City) Abhimanyu Manglik told news agency ANI that he had met and spoke with Azad, who is feeling better now. He added that police are on the lookout for the accused and an investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Deoband police station in Saharanpur district in connection with June 28 incident, according to ANI.