Mamata flays Priyanka’s detention, bad UP situation

Kolkata, July 20 (IANS) Condemning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh for attempting to prevent Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from meeting the Sonebhadra district caste carnage victims' families, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here on Saturday said the poor law and order situation in the northern state should be looked into.

"When prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are imposed, teams comprising three-four members are allowed. We allowed three-four members teams in Bhatpara.

"Priyanka said she wanted to go with a three-four people. That's perfectly alright," said the West Bengal Chief Minister.

Bhatpara in the North 24 Parganas district has seen unrest in the recent past.

"We allowed everybody. Such things are not done here. But nobody is allowed in UP. The law and order in UP is very bad. I have been told of over 1,100 encounters. People are being lynched. These things should be looked into," she said.

Banerjee also accused the BJP of making a habit of violating prohibitory orders in West Bengal by entering the affected areas in 50-vehicle convoys. "They don't listen to anybody, including the administration," Banerjee said.

Priyanka Gandhi was detained and stopped in Mirzapaur district to prevent her from meeting the carnage victims' families and injured on Friday. The Congress leader was allowed to meet the victims's families at the Chunar guest house after she staged a 24-hour dharna.

Ten people were killed and many other injured in the Sonebhadra area on Wednesday in clashes over a land dispute.

Condemning the atrocities on Dalits, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader said "whatever happened, should not have happened. If anybody raises his/her voice, it should be heard."