RAMPUR: A generous intervention by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik to help restore a dozen stolen hens to their rightful owner has led to Raj Bhavan receiving a slew of requests for assistance to trace missing pets.
Razmik Khan, a resident of Imli Ismat Khan in Rampur, has sent a "complaint" to Naik that Ganj police station has refused to register an FIR in connection with the alleged theft of his dog.
"The police did not register the complaint in spite of being aware of Governor's sympathetic and affectionate attitude towards animals and the Raj Bhavan's gates remaining open for all those who wish to narrate their sufferings and grievances," Khan said in the letter which he emailed to Raj Bhavan.
Grieving over the loss, Khan said, "Nutan (his pet) was like a family member to me. I even provided an air conditioner for its comfort." However, another Rampur resident Muin Pathan is livid as no action has been taken to trace his missing goat.
"In spite of my email request, no action was initiated in connection with the theft of my goat....goats cost more than hens, after all," he has said in a complaint. With complaints about missing pets reaching Raj Bhavan, Rampur unit's Rashtriya Lok Dal chief, whose car was stolen about a fortnight ago, said, "When hens, goats and pet dogs are not safe in UP, how human beings could expect to have a safe and secure life."
It all began when about a dozen hens belonging to Farhan Ullah Khan were stolen about three months ago. As the police did not act, he sent an email to the Governor, who directed the police to trace the hens. There has, however, been no headway so far.
Rampur was in news recently when seven buffaloes of UP minister Azam Khan got stolen. Several teams comprising crime branch sleuths and dog squads were pressed into service. A thief was recently caught by the police, while five others were apprehended earlier and the bovines recovered.