Uttar Pradesh rape cases a serious matter, says Rahul Gandhi

AMETHI - Expressing deep concern over the increasing incidents of rape across Uttar Pradesh, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said there is need for effective measures to instil a sense of security among the people of the state.

“Of late, there have been several incidents of rape and that is a serious matter,” he said here on the last day of his three-day tour of his parliamentary constituency of Amethi.

He was speaking at a ceremony where he laid the foundation stone of the Central Reserve Police Force group centre at Trishundi village here.

The central government has allocated Rs.120 crore for the construction of this group centre which, in turn, will surely have its ripple effect in creating an annual economic activity worth at least Rs.100 crore, he said.

Listing lack of a sense of safety and security among the people as a major drawback in Uttar Pradesh, Rahul said: What also needs to be seriously attended to are health and education issues.

He added that development has taken a back seat in UP, largely because of rampant insecurity, lack of education and poor health facilities.

Rahul was of the view that empowerment of the weak was essential.

Look at the difference that the self-help women groups have made in different villages of Amethi, he said. Yesterday, a woman named Rajkali told me here that there was a time when she would not open her doors if her husband was not around, but today she had gathered so much confidence that she is not scared to face anyone.

That is why it is necessary to first build the confidence of the common people and development will follow, because self-confidence alone will combat poverty,” he said.

Exuding confidence that his constituency was witnessing a transformation, he said: I am sure the day is not far when everyone will start opening his doors to accelerate the pace of development.