Cops' deaths: Amid violent protests, UP announces Rs 2 lakh as compensation

Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh each to the next of kin of two police constables, who died on Sunday night in Firozabad.

“We have decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the family members of the two constables who were killed in Firozabad last night,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

“The two constables sacrificed their life and showed immense bravery while they were making efforts to restore law and order situation,” Yadav said, adding, “Firozabad is my own district and I am very well aware of every situation there.”

Two constables Dinesh Pratap Singh and Giriraj Kishore Gujjar aged between 30-32 were killed on Sunday night while they were chasing a group of miscreants in Ramgarh area of Firozabad district. The duo had learnt of some miscreants fleeing after carrying out loot and had gone to intervene, while chasing them Giriraj was shot and died on the spot whereas the other constable Dinesh died in the hospital during the treatment.

The CM asserted that he has directed all district senior officials to reach the incident spot as soon as any crime occurs in order to maintain proper law and order situation without bias. The officials, who will not adhere by the order and fail to reach the spot, will be punished and harsh action will be initiated against them, he said.

Development of the state was his topmost priority and efforts were on to provide better power supply in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said. Yadav, who came on a personal visit, said, “Efforts were being made to complete all the under-construction bridges in Poorvanchal region by year 2016.”

Meanwhile, violent protests broke out over the killing of the two constables. Locals protesting near the district hospital demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the killing. The protests became so violent that a Deputy Inspector General and others were injured. Several shops and vehicles were also damaged by the angry mob which also blocked the road and torched a police vehicle.

In Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned over the prevailing law and order situation in UP. We are closely monitoring the situation in UP.”

Image: An angry mob breaks the windshield of a truck during their protest of the murder of the two constables. Photograph: ANI/Twitter