The Centre has expressed concern over the incidents of rape and murder in Uttar Pradesh and asked the Akhilesh government to act promptly to improve law and order situation in the state.

Replying to a media query over the series of incidents involving crimes against women in Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju said, at present there is nothing on which his Ministry can take suo-moto action as Centre has to have faith in the state agencies.

He criticised the Chief Minister for accusing the media of highlighting such cases occurring in Uttar Pradesh while ignoring similar cases happening in other states. The Union Minister advised Yadav that such shameful incidents should not be seen by numbers.

Akhilesh Yadav, who is under intense criticism over the rape and brutal murder followed by hanging the victims on a tree of two teenaged girls in Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh, had said a Google search will show such crimes occurring across the country and accused the media of playing up incidents taking place in his state.

Other SP leaders also blamed TV channels for spurt in rapes in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav expressed his displeasure at the media spotlight over the gangrape and murder of two teenage dalit cousin sisters. He asserted his party's government in the state is not insensitive and is taking action against the culprits he told reporters to do their job let him do his work.

Senior SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav accused media of deliberately focusing on such incidents only in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that law and order situation has deteriorated to an alarming level in the state. He asked the state government to rein in anti social elements rather than blaming the media. New BJP MP and former Home Secretary R K Singh said UP was a fit case for imposing President's rule as the state has completely failed” to control law and order.

Congress spokesperson Shashi Tharoor said state government should take necessary step to protect the rights of the people.