UP mulls NSA on attackers of women

LUCKNOW: Faced with public outrage at growing incidents of crime against women, the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday said it was considering slapping the National Security Act (NSA) on those assaulting women. Principal Secretary (Home) R.M. Srivastava told reporters that action was also being taken against errant police officials for failing in their duties.

LUCKNOW: The state government is contemplating to slap the National Security Act (NSA) on the accused in the Saharanpur and Pratapgarh cases. Principal secretary, Home, RM Srivastava said the state government had taken a serious note of crime against women. In Pratapgarh, an attempt was made to slash a rape victim’s tongue to prevent her from testifying in court against the accused. As this amounted to interference in court procedure, the district administration had been directed to take strict action against the accused, the principal secretary said. The district administration officials have been also directed to take action against the accused in the Saharanpur and Etawah cases. Meanwhile, additional director general (law and order) Arun Kumar said a magisterial inquiry had been ordered in the Etawah case. With regards to the murder of a four-year-old, allegedly after sexual assault in Lucknow a few days ago, a state government spokesman said the station officer concerned had been suspended and departmental action initiated against him. The stringent NSA provides for preventive detention for reasons like maintaining security, public order and so on.