LUCKNOW, June 7 -- Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Saturday claimed the rule of law has collapsed in the state, which is "reeling from a spate of murders." Rai visited Ghazipur to meet the family of the late Vineet Rai and offer his condolences. Vineet, son of Ghazipur-based hotelier Alok Rai, was shot dead in Ghazipur, said a party press statement. "A wave of killings is sweeping across the state, from Ghaziabad to Ghazipur. The manner in which Vineet Rai was murdered is deeply tragic," Rai said. "I met the deceased's father, Alok Rai, who informed me about a gang of criminals involved in such activities. The late Vineet Rai was associated with the hotel business. Criminals had previously attacked his hotel in 2023-24. Vineet Rai had also been harassed, yet no action was taken. Although the criminals were apprehended at the time, they were released instead of facing strict action, a failure that ultimately led to the murder," the Congress leader said. "Had the government and the police been alert earlier and granted the security that was requested, Vineet would not have been murdered," Ajay Rai said. htc...