New Delhi: The bodies of two Dalit sisters, both minors, were found to be hanging from a tree under the Nighasan police station limits of Lakhimpur Kheri district in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday evening.
According to reports, the local villagers said that the victims’ family alleged that some bike-borne men had taken away the girls.
“Bodies of two sisters found hanging on a tree at some distance from their house in Lakhimpur. SP is present on the spot. A case will be registered on the basis of the complaint received from their family. Every aspect will be examined,” news agency ANI quoted UP ADG (L&O) Prashant Kumar, as saying.
The bodies have been taken for autopsy and the post mortem will be recorded in video, police said.
Meanwhile, the unexplained deaths have triggered an outrage, with angry villagers blocking highways as mark of protest. Police met the agitated mob and assured them of speedy justice.
Taking to Twitter, the Samajwadi Party severely criticised Yogi Adityanath-led government over safety of women.
“In Yogi government, goons are harassing mothers and sisters every day, very shameful. The government should get the matter investigated, the culprits should get the harshest punishment,” the SP tweeted.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "...The relatives say those girls were abducted in broad daylight. Giving false advertisements in newspapers and TV every day does not improve law and order. After all, why are heinous crimes against women increasing in UP?"
Notably, Lakhimpur Kheri has witnessed similar incidents of crime against women in the past.
Three minor girls were allegedly raped and murdered in different parts of the district between August 14 and September 3, 2020.
In June 2011, 11 policemen, including a police inspector, were suspended after the body of a teenage girl was found hanging from a tree on the compound of the Nighasan police station.