Lucknow, Aug. 31 -- Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Monday slammed the state government over the murder of Haryanvi singer and actor Ankit Baliyan in Shamli, saying that law and order had collapsed and that police encounters had failed to prevent such incidents.

"A talented singer (Singer Ankit Baliyan) was murdered. Law and order have collapsed in the state. They have conducted many encounters, but such incidents are not stopping. The government is only praising itself by conducting such encounters. BJP government under the CM is giving protection to such mafia in the state," Rai said.

Baliyan was shot dead outside a gym in Shamli district on August 26. A social media post, allegedly linked to the Gogi gang, claimed responsibi...