Police deployed,Media entry banned in Hathras

Hathras (Uttar Pradesh):District administration banned the entry of the media in Boolgarhi village where the Hathras assault victim lived. A heavy deployment of police was made around the village on Friday and even the movement of locals was restricted.

Policemen were seen standing even in the fields to prevent media persons from reaching the house of the victim and meeting her family.

A local official who did not identify himself, said that restrictions were in place due to Section 144 being imposed in the district.

"Restriction on the entry of media into the village will stay till the SIT completes its probe there. Due to the prevailing law & order situation, no political delegations or individuals will be allowed to visit the village" said Hathras Additional SP Prakash Kumar

In Lucknow, UP minister and government spokesman Siddhartha Nath Singh said, "Today, the Trinamool people tried to reach the village and their purpose was merely to register their presence in this situation. It is like "Main bhi hoon na."

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted that Hathras incident as an unfortunate incident.

"Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath ji ordered a Special Investigation Team(SIT) inquiry into the case. Accused have been arrested. If it's a rape case or not, that has also been told by UP Police" added Ravi Shankar Prasad

Meanwhile Union Minister G Shekhawat criticized Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi that they are playing politics over Hathras incident.

He also questioned about their stance on crimes against women in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and said that their march to Hathras as 'unfair act'.

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were prevented from going to Hathras on Thursday on Yamuna expressway.

On Friday, A group of Trinamool Congress MPs led by Derek O'Brien who were on their way to meet the family of Hathras gangrape victim were stopped on their way, by Uttar Pradesh Police.

(With input from IANS and ANI)