In her controversial speech which led to the recent Congress-BSP tension in Uttar Pradesh,state Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi is reported to have criticised Chief Minister Mayawatis decision to provide relief to rape victims by ensuring personal visits by top officials who either hand over cheques or assure monetary compensation.
Since May 24,when Mayawati issued the orders to personally attend to cases of rape and murder against Dalits,Director General of Police Vikram Singh has been a busy man. In just over a month,he heli-hopped to a total of 18 places where crimes against Dalits were reported. At all these places,he either paid the relief,or gave instructions to the local administration to do so. The government has said that payment of relief is prescribed under the SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules,1995.
A look at the DGPs itinerary:
Tarwa,Azamgarh
June 2 A Dalit was beaten to death after a dispute with neighbours over sharing of the path between two fields on May 31. Seven policemen were suspended. Three accused were sent to jail later. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 1.7 lakh to the victims son.
Kotwali Sadar,Lakhimpur Kheri
June 3 One Arjun Raidas was hanged on June 2 over his alleged relations with a woman. Three of the accused,including two persons belonging to Scheduled Castes,were arrested. Two cops were suspended. The DGP assured compensation to the family,to be released by the district welfare department.
Bhopa,Muzaffarnagar
June 5 A man,Puranmal,was shot over an old enmity on June 4. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 1.5 lakh to the victims sons. Two policemen were suspended. The accused were later arrested.
Sihanigate,Ghaziabad
June 5 A woman,aided by three of her paramours,reportedly killed her husband,Rakesh,on June 4. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 1.5 lakh to the victims father. All the four accused were arrested.
Dhaulana,Ghaziabad
June 9 Ranvir,a watchman at a brick kiln,was hacked to death by his employer over a petty issue. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 1.5 lakh to the victims family. The accused was sent to jail.
Itaunja,Lucknow
June 12 A teenaged girl was allegedly raped by a local youth. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 25,000 to the victims father. The accused was arrested.
Kotwali Dehat,Sultanpur
June 16 A minor girl was reportedly raped by a local. The victims father was given a cheque of Rs 25,000 the next day. The accused was arrested.
Pali,Hardoi
June 16 A man,identified as Chetram,was beaten to death over a land dispute on June 15. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 1.5 lakh to the wife of the deceased. He also asked the Chief Development Officer to ensure other aid,including Rs 1 lakh under farmers insurance scheme,Rs 20,000 under family benefit scheme and Rs 300 as widow pension. These benefits were released after a week. The main accused has been arrested.
Kaptanganj,Azamgarh
June 16 A teenaged girl was raped by a local youth. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 25,000 to the victims father. The accused was arrested.
Saandi,Hardoi
June 24 A woman,her widowed daughter and two grandchildren were strangled to death by the widows paramour. Compensation was not given as the family had no surviving kin,but the accused was arrested.
Dostpur,Sultanpur
June 24 The hutments of Rakesh,Ram Pyare,Kariya and Ramchet were set ablaze over a land dispute. A compensation of Rs 25,000 was given to each of the victims. One accused was arrested.
Sandna,Sitapur
June 25 A married woman was raped by a local youth on June 16. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 25,000 to the victim. The SO and beat constable were suspended for delay in lodging the FIR. The accused was later arrested.
Binawar,Budaun
July 1 A minor girl was strangled to death,allegedly by a local youth on June 26. The youth reportedly had an affair with the girl. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 75,000 to victims father. The accused was sent to jail.
Sarsawan,Saharanpur
July 3 A teenaged Dalit was killed by a neighbourhood boy over an old enmity. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 75,000 to the father of the deceased. The accused was later arrested.
Bahsuma,Meerut
July 9 A teenaged girl was raped by a local youth on July 7. The DGP gave a cheque for Rs 25,000 to the victims father. The accused was arrested.
Raghupura,Gautam Buddha Nagar
July 9 A deaf and dumb woman was raped by a local on July 7. The DGP gave a cheque of Rs 25,000 to the victims husband. The accused was arrested. The SO,an S-I and a head clerk of the police station were suspended for delay in lodging of FIR.
Ading,Mathura
July 9 A 14-year-old girl was killed by three local youths on July 4. It was suspected that the attempted to rape her. The girls father was given Rs 75,000. The accused were arrested.
Bidhuna,Auraiya
July 9 A Dalit youth was was killed over a dispute over money on July 7. The DGP assured a compensation of Rs 75,000 to the victims father,which was delivered the next day. The accused was later arrested.