Bhopal, Sep 22 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Congress has alleged that police and district administration had failed to prevent 'sati' incident in Chhatarpur's Banyani village despite prior information.

Congress General Secretary Manak Agrawal told reporters here yesterday that the negligence of the administration and the government could be understood from the fact several hundred people gathered at the spot on receiving information of 'sati'.

However, police claimed it had no information about the incident.

Pointing out that it was second instance of 'sati' within a month, he said it appeared that the state was going back instead of moving ahead.

''There was a time when such news emanated from Rajasthan.

However, such ill-practices no longer existed even there,'' he said.

Mr Agrawal said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should resign owing moral responsibility.

He alleged that law and order situation had deteriorated in the state and interference of ruling BJP members was preventing the district administration from functioning effectively.

Ninety-five-year-old Karouyya Devi had committed sati on her husband's pyre on September 20.

UNI XC-PS 1235