The nation is witnessing a massive outrage over the Hathras gangrape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit girl and people are seeking justice for the victim. Various opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, TMC MP Derek O'Brien went to UP to meet the victim's family but were stopped at the border followed by physical manhandling.
Uttar Pradesh is now emerging as a land of rapes, just a day after the Hathras incident, Balrampur reported another brutal gangrape of a 22-year-old girl who also belonged to a lower caste.
After witnessing back-to-back incidents of atrocities against women, UP CM Yogi Adityanath finally broke his silence on Friday. In a tweet, CM said exemplary punishments will be given to those who even think of disrespecting women.
“The UP government is committed to protect every mother and sister of the state. This is our promise,” the CM tweeted.
Meanwhile, tempers ran high in Hathras after the district administration banned the entry of the media in Boolgarhi village where the Hathras assault victim lived.
A heavy deployment of police was made around the village on Friday and even the movement of locals was restricted. Policemen were seen standing even in the fields to prevent media persons from reaching the house of the victim and meeting her family.
A local official who did not identify himself said that restrictions were in place due to Section 144 being imposed in the district.