CBI to probe police killing of Rajasthan gangster Anandpal Singh
Jaipur: The central government has given its nod for a CBI probe into the alleged encounter killing of notorious Rajasthan gangster Anandpal Singh in July, informed sources said.
The central government has informed the home department that the case is being handed over to the CBI, the sources said.
With the central government's nod for a CBI probe, the state government has breathed easy.
The BJP state government had requested a CBI probe in a letter sent on July 24. However, the CBI rejected the request on November 15, citing lack of evidence in the case for initiating a probe.
The state government again wrote to the central government on December 17 pleading that discontent among Rajputs was growing as their primary demand for a CBI investigation has not been accepted. The government warned in a letter that not ordering a CBI probe could worsen the law and order situation in the state.
Anandpal Singh was killed in a police encounter in Malasar village of Churu district on June 24. His family members questioned the credibility of the encounter and claimed he was killed even though he wanted to surrender.
The police officials in their defence said that he was asked to surrender several times, but he had opened fire on policemen.
Rajasthan's influential Rajput community had resorted to massive protests over the killing, blocking roads, and vandalised public property to press for an inquiry into what they alleged was a staged encounter.
One person was killed and 32 injured in clashes in Sanrad village.
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Youngsters should be made aware of UP's condition before 2017: Adityanath
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday urged intellectuals and opinion makers to educate the younger generation about the condition of the state before 2017 and the transformation witnessed in recent years.
Addressing the "Prabuddh Samvad" programme organised by the BJP's Rapti Nagar Mandal at a marriage hall in Gorakhpur, Adityanath said youngsters must be made aware of the "era of riots, curfews, lawlessness and appeasement politics", so that such a situation does not return.
He said many youngsters today were too young to understand the condition of Uttar Pradesh 10 years ago. "If we do not tell the present generation what the state faced earlier, they will forget the consequences of misgovernance and appeasement politics," he said.
The chief minister alleged that before 2017, the state suffered from "goondaism, corruption, anarchy and exploitation by regional parties". He claimed that traders were forced to pay the "goonda tax", women felt unsafe and employment opportunities were limited, forcing many to migrate.
Highlighting the changes under the present government, Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh now offers development, security and employment opportunities.
Referring to Gorakhpur, he said the fertiliser plant has resumed operations, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is functioning smoothly and the Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College has improved healthcare services.
The chief minister added that industrial projects worth Rs 15,000 crore have generated jobs for nearly 50,000 youngsters in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Adityanath said India has emerged as a global inspiration under his leadership.
Referring to global tensions and rising fuel prices, he appealed to people to conserve fuel and adopt alternatives, such as solar energy, public transport, electric vehicles and carpooling.
Calling intellectuals the "opinion makers of the society", he said teachers, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs have a responsibility to guide people in the right direction. He also urged citizens to remain balanced during both favourable and challenging times.
Local MP Ravi Kishan and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Dharmendra Singh also addressed the programme. Mayor Manglesh Srivastava and several BJP leaders, professionals and social workers were present.
