Briefing newspersons here on Sunday, Rana condemned the daylight murder of woman BJP councillor Nita Satbhaya in Surat and demanded that the State Government replace the police commissioner if necessary and ensure early steps to control the crime.

Satbhaya, also the BJP's city unit Mahila Cell chief, was stabbed to death by some miscreants at her residence on Saturday evening.Rana said he met Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel today and discussed about the action to be taken against those responsible for the murder. He, however, clarified that his aim behind raising the issue was not to point out any fault of Keshubhai's Government but he wanted prompt and stricter action against those responsible.

He said that it was another serious incident in Surat followed by some gory crimes reported during last one month, like the rape of two minor girls and kidnapping of a boy, Bunti. Rana said that such incidents have caused fear among the public in urban pockets.

Blaming the police for its delinquency in reacting to the incident, Rana said the police reached after an hour of being informed about the murder. Action against the policemen would surely bring results, he said, adding that police were not making any headway into the matter and should intensify the investigation.