The godfathers of Uttar Pradesh

Keeping the BJP’s poll promise of reducing crime in the state, CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered a crackdown on criminals

LUCKNOW /KANPUR /MEERUT : In 13 months from March 2017 to April 2018, police recorded 647 operations against criminals in Meerut zone.

The result, according to police records, is impressive — 50 hardcore criminals killed, 390 wounded, more than 3,435 arrested, and 36 booked under the National Security Act.

But in comparison, 897 cases of kidnappings and 181 rapes were registered in 13 months against 697 and 163 cases, respectively, the previous year.

The crackdown is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s promise during the assembly elections last year, to reduce the crime rate in India’s most populous and politically sensitive state.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government swung into action after assuming power in March last year, ordering a widespread operation against criminals.

Meerut zone, comprising nine districts of western UP and bordering New Delhi, Haryana and Uttarakhand, has been known as the “Wild West” because of its high crime rate. Criminals continue to run organised gangs, some armed with sophisticated weapons such as the AK-47 assault rifles.

The fear of criminals had forced many industrialists and entrepreneurs to leave the region and set up business in New Delhi and elsewhere. But the sustained police efforts instilled fear in the criminals. In places such as Kairana and Muzaffarnagar, several known hardcore criminals were seen in grainy mobile phone video clips marching on streets with folded hands, apologising to people for their crimes and promising to live an honest life.

UP, however, continues to see the rise and fall of gang-lords. Here is a quick look at some of the biggest gangsters of UP.