New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, talking about the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district, termed it as a “shameful” act and expressed her shock over what she called collapse of law and order in India’s largest state.
Taking to Twitter, CM Banerjee wrote, “I am shocked by the brazen anarchy and total collapse of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. It is shameful that perpetrators are now taking the law in their own hands, unfazed by the police and media presence. Such unlawful acts have no place in our constitutional democracy.”
Her remarks come a day after Atiq and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men, posing as mediapersons in the middle of a media interaction while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a check-up.
Meanwhile, the Opposition on Sunday slammed the BJP over the two killings and alleged that "jungle raj" and "mafia raj" were prevalent under its rule.
"No one can be allowed to mess with it. Judiciary has the right to decide the punishment of the criminal. This right cannot be given to any government, leader or person who violates the law," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said strict action should be taken against those involved in the incident. "Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. Its USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics & patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators & punish them stringently," he said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, police patrolling was stepped up in Prayagraj's Chakiya area where Atiq Ahmad's house is located, even as the Uttar Pradesh police tightened security across the state.