AMETHI/LUCKNOW: The Amethi Police suspended three policemen after a woman from the district and her daughter set themselves on fire outside the chief minister’s office in Lucknow alleging inaction in a land dispute case, officials said Saturday.
The Lucknow police, however, said the women were instigated by Congress leader Anoop Patel to set themselves on fire as part of a “criminal conspiracy” and a case has been filed against him and three others.
Meanwhile, the BSP and the SP attacked the UP government over the immolation bid, saying it should take the incident seriously and act against the officers responsible for it.
According to Lucknow civil hospital authorities, the woman suffered 90 per cent burns and is on life support, while her daughter is stable.
“Three policemen including the in-charge SHO of Jamo police station in Amethi have been suspended. The matter is being probed by the additional superintendent of police and action will be taken once the report comes,” Amethi Superintendent of Police Khyati Garg said.
No suicide note was recovered from Safia or her daughter Gudia, she said.
Garg and Amethi District Magistrate Arun Kumar said Safia (55) had a dispute with her neighbour over a drain and the two had even exchanged blows in the past. Safia and her daughter set themselves on fire outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office in the state capital Friday evening, police said. The police personnel posted there swung into action when they saw the women engulfed in flames and rescued them. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile, the Congress alleged that its leader Anoop Patel has been “framed” by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government to hide administrative failure.
The Lucknow police has lodged an FIR against Patel along with three others in the case. (PTI)
