UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Defends Police Use of Force Against Criminals
In a strong defense of law enforcement actions, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday justified the police's use of force against criminals, posing a rhetorical question that captured his administration's tough stance. "Should police only be shot at and not shoot back? Both cannot happen simultaneously," he asserted during a pharma conclave in Lucknow.
Zero Tolerance Policy as Foundation
The Chief Minister elaborated on his government's approach since taking office in 2017, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi delegated the responsibility of Uttar Pradesh to him. "The solution was found in our policy of zero tolerance for criminals," Yogi declared. He emphasized that the law was placed above everyone with no exceptions, adding that even those aligned with his administration would face consequences if they violated the law.
Restoring Public Confidence Through Firm Action
Yogi Adityanath recalled the challenging period between 2003 and 2017 when he witnessed criminals mocking the law and causing suffering to the people of Uttar Pradesh. "Restoring public confidence was as big a challenge as tackling crime after 2017," he noted. The Chief Minister explained that establishing fear of the law was initially difficult, but necessary action had to be taken within legal frameworks.
He defended police actions by stating: "If a criminal has the freedom to fire, the police have been given pistols for the same reason, to confront him. Police are trained to make criminals understand the law in a language they speak." This approach, according to Yogi, became an immediate necessity when dealing with individuals who showed no fear of legal consequences.
Transformation in Law and Order Situation
The Chief Minister highlighted the positive outcomes of this firm policy over the past nine years. "When criminals were dealt with in the language they understand, you saw that over the past nine years, major festivals were held peacefully," he stated. Yogi pointed to significant improvements including:
- No breach of peace during major events
- Elimination of anarchy and extortion
- Reduction in riots and hooliganism
- Establishment of UP as a leading investment destination
From 'Bimaru' State to Breakthrough State
Yogi Adityanath proudly declared that Uttar Pradesh has shed its previous image as a hub of riots, extortion, and lawlessness. "UP is no longer a 'Bimaru' state, it is a breakthrough state now," he proclaimed, referring to the acronym once used to describe underdeveloped states in India. The Chief Minister's remarks underscored his administration's commitment to maintaining law and order through decisive police action against criminal elements.
