50 jailed gangsters shifted in 2 weeks

At least 50 jailed gangsters have been shifted from one jail to another in the past two weeks to curb criminals’ operations from behind bars.

Moreover, jail authorities are likely to shift around 20 more jailed criminals in a week’s time.

The shifting of gangsters was done after chief minister Yogi Adityanath asked police and jail authorities to tighten the noose around gangsters, who often operate their gangs while remaining behind bars.

He had also ordered the UP Special Task Force (STF) and Anti Terror Squad (ATS) officials to keep strict vigil on their activities in jails.

“Between March 27 and April 10, the jail directorate has shifted 50 jailed gangsters. So far, the list of gangsters shifted includes the names of Mafioso-turned-politicians Mukhtar Ansari and Atiq Ahmad, dreaded gangsters Prem Prakash Singh alias Munna Bajrangi and Younus Kala,” said a senior IPS official.

In the past it had been witnessed that these gangsters often formed their nexus on the basis of their money and network if they remained lodged in their preferable jail or in the same jail for a long period, he said.

“Considering this, the jail authorities have decided to keep shifting such dreaded gangsters to different jails at regular intervals,” he emphasised.

He said STF and ATS sleuths have been asked to ensure that criminals do not use mobile phones or any other communication device while remaining in jail or during their movement to courts.