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Rampant crime makes Lucknow UP’s ‘crime capital’!
Lucknow: Even as the Uttar Pradesh government of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav claims in big newspaper advertisements that it has brought about rapid improvement in the law and order situation in the state during its rule, 42 murders in three months, 20 major robberies, a bank heist that left three people dead has led to many here calling Lucknow not only the adminstrative capital but the “crime capital” of Uttar Pradesh.
While police officials admit that serious policing has been hit hard in the city, Lucknow’s Senior Superintendent of Police Yashaswi Yadav insists that the law and order situation has actually improved. Inspector General of Police Zaki Ahmed admits to a spurt in crime in Lucknow, but says “serious efforts are on to check them”.
Other police officers say that notwithstanding the crime graph, Yashaswi Yadav remains a favourite of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
While poor law and order has been the Achilles’ heel for the Samajwadi Party government in the past three years, the sudden spurt in crime in the capital has shocked even the most loyal government supporters.
Police have failed to crack many cases and to meet deadlines set by the chief minister to bring the situation under control.
A senior police official here told IANS that “serious policing has gone for a toss” in Lucknow and “all that is happening is an eyewash”.
Insiders in the police department accuse Yashaswi Yadav of browbeating some of his colleagues and breaking the hierarchy.
“The result is there for everyone to see,” lamented one official.
Records show that there have also been 30 attempts to murder, ATMs have been robbed of crores of rupees and 125 thefts have taken place, besides many other crimes.
Since Tuesday alone, a headless body was found in a drain near the office of the director general of police, a semi-naked body was recovered elsewhere and a state secretariat employee was shot at.
Under similar conditions, senior policemen have been normally shunted out or suspended. But Yashaswi Yadav has come out unscathed.
The officer, however, rebuts charges of soaring crime. “Except in the case of murders, crimes under various heads have come down,” Yadav told IANS.
“Most major cases have been worked out and in the ones that have not yet been, we are in the right direction,” he added.
“We are on the right track, law and order has improved and the traffic scene in the city is much better than before. As a professional, I take immense satisfaction on all these achievements,” Yadav said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party are not impressed by Yadav’s defence.
“The chief minister is turning a blind eye to the declining standards of policing to patronize his pet officials,” said Vijay Bahadur Pathak, the BJP spokesman.
“This is a great disservice to the people of the state,” Pathak added.
BSP’s Swamy Prasad Maurya, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, is scathing in his attack. The situation, he says, is “chaotic and criminals are running berserk” in Lucknow.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.