The Times of India News Service

LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party state president Ram Sharan Das on Monday demanded a high level inquiry into the killings of Dalits in Fatehpur and slammed chief minister Rajnath Singh for allowing things to reach this pass in UP.

He also ridiculed BSP vice-president Mayawati's statement that the SP was hatching a conspiracy to eliminate her.

Addressing a press conference, Das said the mowing down of five Dalits in Fatehpur on Sunday was a reflection of the government's concern for the welfare and uplift of the weaker sections of society. On the night of June 8-9, seven members of the Pal community from the same district were killed and their bodies thrown in a well. The failure of the police to take any pre-emptive action in the first instance only emboldened such elements and resulted in two Dalit women and three Dalit children being killed on Sunday, he said.

Das said that on June 13 five members of a Dalit family in Aligarh were killed and many injured. Since the home portfolio was with the chief minister, the growing incidents were a reflection on his inefficiency, he remarked. The state president said that lawlessness had become rampant in the state and it appeared that goondas and mafias were calling the shots. If things were allowed to continue with no checks being placed, the possibility of caste and class war breaking out could not be precluded, he added.

Referring to Mayawati's statement that a conspiracy was being hatched by the SP and the BJP to kill her, the state president said it was indicative of her mindset and insecurity. He said her own party members had been alleging that she was into a money-spinning business and would give party tickets only after getting a hefty amount for the same.

Das said that besides SP, BSP members also stated that Mayawati had entered into an understanding with the BJP.