Etawah, the home district of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, is one of the most undesired posting destination for Uttar Pradesh's police officers. At least two ASPs - Lal Sahab Yadav and Sarvanand Yadav - and three DSPs have refused to join duty there in the last one month.

DIG R.K. Chaturvedi said, "Transfers are routine process. The officers would soon be posted on the vacant posts." Interestingly, until two years ago, every officer wanted a posting in Etawah as they would get to meet members of the ruling Yadav family frequently and would enjoy political patronage. However, 23 attacks on policemen by Samajwadi Party (SP) members and supporters since Akhilesh took over as chief minister in March 2012 has left the department high and dry.

On May 31, 2012, party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's 'favourite' uniformed man, then circle officer of Saifai Arun Dixit, was beaten up because he "couldn't live up" to the party workers' expectations.

In June 2012, SP men attacked the then circle officer Rajveen Singh in Itgaon area of Etawah district. Three weeks ago, a team of excise department was attacked when tried to conduct a raid on an illegal liquor manufacturing unit.

There have been several other similar incidents. However, SP spokesperson of UP unit Rajendra Chaudhary said, "The CM is working to make UP an 'Uttam Pradesh' where there is development and proper law and order. But the Opposition is unnecessarily criticising our CM who is very energetic and upright."