A witness to the murder of a BSP MLA being escorted under police protection was killed by means of bombs and bullets in broad daylight this February in Prayagraj. Then the murder mastermind and his brother being taken for a routine medical examination are shot in cold blood at point blank range. How could the three shooters even penetrate the heavy security cordon thrown around such high value prisoners in transit unless the killing was premeditated ? Encounter raj, gangland killings and vigilante justice has become the norm in UP. While no one condones the heinous crimes committed by the deceased dons this is no way to mete out justice; in a civilized society even hardened criminals have an inalienable right to be tried and sentenced via the due process of law but what can be expected of a party which releases and fetes convicted rapists and murderers. Had this incident taken place in a non-BJP ruled state like Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal or Kerala, the media and the ruling party would have cried themselves hoarse shouting 'goonda raj', 'complete failure of law and order' and other epithets.
