Sack NCW chairperson, says incensed UP govt

The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday demanded the immediate removal of National Women's Commission chief Yasmeen Abrar.

The demand came in the wake of Abrar's allegations that women were disrobed and paraded naked by the UP police in Bhatta Paraul village of Greater Noida.

Bhatta Paraul has been in the eye of a storm since the villagers clashed with the police to demand better compensation for the land acquired by the state government.

Abrar, who had led a fact-finding team that toured affected Bhatta and Parsaul villages, had sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe to "bring out the truth".

She had said the NCW will submit a preliminary report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

While strongly refuting the allegation, the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party government in the state has termed the charge as "baseless and politically motivated."

Through a statement issued by an official spokesman, the government has sought to point out, "since there is not an iota of truth in her statement, it is quite apparent that the National Women's Commission chief had levelled the charges only to gain a few brownie points before the Congress leadership."

It is an obvious reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent allegation about UP policemen burning the dead bodies of 74 farmers killed in clashes in Greater Noida.

The spokesperson added, "The Congress has already faced much embarrassment because of such irresponsible statements, on which the party had to backtrack."

The spokesman urged the prime minister to reconstitute the commission with apolitical members who would not guided by the agenda of their respective political parties.

"It is matter of shame that a person holding such an important and sensitive office as the women's commission chairperson would make such wild and absolutely baseless accusations without showing the least sensitivity to the dignity of women," said the spokesman.

 "I would like to ask the women's commission chief how would she react if such false  allegations were levelled against the women of her own family," he said.

"Anyone holding a high office like the head of the women's commission ought to be displaying more responsible behaviour," the spokesman added.