The state of UP has been affected by criminalization of politics in the past and Mafia has run amok. The previous rules of regional parties had facilitated growth of Mafia elements which led the state into utter lawlessness and chaos. The emergence of Yogi as the CM has seen many fundamental changes on the ground. And among them is the laudable step of taking on these criminals head on and making serious attempts to restore law and order.
Anti-Romeo Squads:
One of CM Yogi’s first bold steps was the crackdown on roadside Romeos through his ‘anti Romeo squad’. With about six cases a day over nine months, the project has been very successful where it issued warnings to at least 9.33 lakh people and “inspected” over 21 lakh individuals in almost eight lakh visits. The same success now is been replicated in cracking down the criminal mafia in the state and the efforts are giving tremendous results.
Encounters:
UP police have hit a strike rate of one encounter every three and a half hours for the past three days and have maintained the same for the past few months. As many as 24 wanted criminals were apprehended and one gangster killed in 15 encounters reported from 10 districts of the state in the past 48 hours. These encounters were reported from Muzaffarnagar, Gorakhpur, Bulandshahr, Shamli, Hapur, Meerut, Saharanpur, Baghpat, Kanpur and Lucknow. Perhaps this glimpse of Yogi Raj is not confined to last few days but is happening ever since he took the charge of the state. If we pull out the statistics for the past few months, his administration has done an incredible job of neutralizing 36 gangsters with over 900 encounters happening in due process. Whilst, 196 hardened criminals sustained injuries, 212 policemen have also been injured with four brave hearts losing their lives.
It’s important to note that these operations by the UP police require spine and political will in order to be carried out. CM Yogi has certainly given that necessary free hand to the police forces to fight these criminals which till now has yielded rich dividends.
This has not only boosted the morale of the forces but also has sent shivers down the spine of the criminals. In a meeting with all district police chiefs, CM Yogi has issued a directive via video conferencing to improve the law and order in their areas at ‘any rate’ The meeting held in the wake of Kasganj violence was important to send a signal or message to the defaulters. The state govt in the past has also restructured the police force and has identified areas of maximum necessary action. UP police have also used social media to publicize these encounters. ‘’Criminals can run, criminals can hide but it won’t be long before luck leaves their side’’ was tweeted by UP police with the hashtag, ‘Safe UP’
This dare devil no care attitude of the CM which is exhibited against the mafia was also seen during the Padmavat crisis. UP was the only state where the Karni Sena and its associated protestors could not harm the public property and the state remained wholly peaceful.
As usual, the NHRC has taken a cognizance of the issue and has sent multiple notices to the state govt. Nevertheless, the CM seems to be in no mood to stop this neutralising over drive which the state badly needs owing to decades of lawlessness.
CM Yogi has made tough statements in context with law and order. After Kasganj, he was categorical in mentioning there is no place for anarchy in his state. His ‘bullet for a bullet’ remark in the past captured the essence of his toughness in dealing with criminals. Its important to note that these tough words are translating into tough actions. And it is a long way to go, before UP sees the benefits of it in future.