Zero tolerance towards crime and criminals: CM

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the state government had a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and criminals, as a result of which 125 dreaded criminals had been gunned down and 2,607 others arrested in encounters since April 2017.

He warned criminals of strict action and paid tribute to policemen who died in the line of duty during his address on the occasion of ‘Police Smriti Diwas’ (police commemoration day) at the Reserve Police Lines in Mahanagar here on Wednesday.

The CM felicitated family members of nine cops, including eight who lost their lives in an ambush during a raid at slain gangster Vikas Dubey’s house in Kanpur’s Bikru village on July 2. He assured that the state government

would always stand by them.

Yogi said Gangster Act was imposed against 34,217 criminals across UP since April, 2017.

“At least 125 dreaded criminals have been gunned down and 2,607 others arrested in police encounters since April 2017. No terror incident happened since 2017,” he said. He said land worth ₹300 crore was

freed from the possession of Mafioso and criminal elements during a crackdown launched against in the last one year.

He praised the Special Task Force (STF) for curbing organised crime and taking action against criminals, especially during the past three years.

The CM said the state police needed to be appreciated for its working and efforts during the lockdown imposed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. “Police personnel have done a wonderful job in containing the infection by enforcing lockdown protocols strictly,” he added.

He said the special campaign, ‘Mission Shakti’, was launched in Navratri for the safety of women and children. He said all district police chiefs had been asked to ensure strictest action on crime against women and children. Around 3,876 extra posts for women cops were created only for Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur, he emphasised.

The CM took a salute of the parade held to remember the policemen who died in the line of duty. Chief secretary RK Tewari, director general of police HC Awasthy and additional chief secretary (home) Awnish Awasthi were also present on the occasion.