Yogi Adityanath takes on the mafia: 183 criminals killed in encounters since 2017

Weeks after Uttar Presh Chief Minister Yogi ityanath's 'mitti me mila denge' (We turn m to dust)' warning to mafia, Uttar Presh Police on Thursday killed gangster-turned-politician Atique Ahmed's son As Ahm and one Ghulam in an encounter. Both were wanted in Umesh Pal murder case. encounters d to list of Yogi government's actions against mafia in state. Special DG Prashant Kumar said that in last six years, 183 criminals were killed in encounters.

"So far 183 criminals have been killed in police encounters since 2017, along with this, 13 policemen have also been martyred," Kumar said in a press conference.

DG said, "We always h a zero-tolerance policy against all mafias. We have h extraordinary benefits from this policy. Umesh Pal was killed and our police officers were killed who were protecting that witness."

"Since n police and formed a special team. Five important people were identified as suspects and we announced prizes for m. Our STF and police teams have been constantly working on this case. Bullets were fired from both ends. y got injured first and n succumed to ir injuries," he said.

Both As and Ghulam were on run since killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in 2005 murder of n-BSP legislator Raju Pal. Visuals showed two bodies lying beside a motorbike at site of alleged encounter. An ambulance later took m away.

Umesh Pal's wife Jaya h alleged in a police complaint that Atiq Ahm, his bror Ashraf, son As, ir accomplice Ghulam and ors were behind killing.

Ahm, 60-year-old former Samajwi Party legislator, was brought to Prayagraj for second time within a month from Sabarmati jail in Gujarat for hearing in criminal cases related to kidnapping and murder of Umesh Pal. On Thursday, he and Ashraf were sentenced to five-day police custody in murder case.