BJP MP Brij Lal Rejects Congress Allegations on UP Police Performance
In Lucknow, BJP MP and former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Brij Lal on Thursday strongly refuted allegations from the Congress party regarding the weakness of UP Police during his tenure. He labeled the charges as "false and misleading," escalating a political dispute over law enforcement credibility.
Congress Criticism and Encounter Details
Congress spokesman Surendra Rajput had earlier taken a jibe at Brij Lal, referencing a 2009 encounter in Chitrakoot district. Rajput claimed that police led by Lal took three days to neutralize gangster Ghanshyam Kewat, despite having over 800 personnel and all necessary resources at their disposal.
In a detailed statement, Brij Lal clarified that the encounter occurred in June 2009 in Jamouli village, Chitrakoot, and lasted nearly 52 hours from June 16 to 18. He emphasized that the operation was broadcast live on television, with footage still publicly available, highlighting its transparency.
Brij Lal's Defense and Sacrifices Highlighted
Brij Lal, who served as the then Additional Director General (Law & Order), Crime, Special Task Force, and Anti-Terrorism Squad, recounted the challenges faced during the encounter. He noted that four police personnel were martyred, and several others, including senior officers, sustained serious injuries.
"I reached the encounter site after 28 hours when the morale of the force was beginning to decline," Lal stated. "On the night of June 17, I surrounded Jamouli village, and the final assault began the next morning. Advancing within a 20–25-foot range along with two gunners, I engaged the notorious criminal Ghanshyam Kewat, who had an AK-47 and grenades, and neutralised him."
Warning to Congress and Political Context
Lal issued a stern warning to Congress spokesman Surendra Rajput, urging him to refrain from "irresponsible statements" and to not disrespect the sacrifices of fallen police personnel. This response came after Rajput criticized Lal's claims in the Rajya Sabha about the success of the "Yogi model" in Uttar Pradesh, dismissing them as "mere rhetoric and sycophancy."
Rajput had further commented, "Brij Lal should refrain from indulging in hollow rhetoric and flattery. We have seen during his tenure (as DGP) how much he fought against mafia or how much he feared them."
Broader Political Allegations
The Rajya Sabha MP also accused the Samajwadi Party of oppressing Dalits, claiming that during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure, over one lakh Dalit officials and employees were demoted across administrative ranks in UP. Lal alleged that SP's current outreach towards Dalits is deceptive and asserted that the community would not be misled by such tactics.
This exchange underscores ongoing political tensions in Uttar Pradesh, with law enforcement performance and social justice issues at the forefront of debates between major parties.
