Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Assures Industrialists of Safe Environment Amid Criticism Over Law and Order Situation

Uttar Pradesh (India), April 18, 2023: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that no mafia or criminal can intimidate industrialists in the state any longer, in the aftermath of the recent murders of gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother.

Adityanath was speaking at an event marking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for establishing textile parks in Lucknow and Hardoi districts. The textile parks are being set up under the PM Mega Integrated Textiles and Apparel Scheme. The Chief Minister stated that a professional criminal or mafia cannot threaten an industrialist over the phone anymore.

Adityanath further mentioned that the state used to be infamous for riots and that many district names instilled fear among people. However, after his government took over, not a single riot occurred between 2017 and 2023. He claimed that Uttar Pradesh now ensures effective law and order arrangements, and this is the most favorable time to invest and set up industries.

The comments come amidst strong criticisms of the state’s law and order situation following the murders of Atiq Ahmed and his brother outside a hospital in Prayagraj. The incident took place while the two were accompanied by a police team, raising questions about the police’s preparations and response.

The opposition Samajwadi Party criticized the state government, with Leader of Opposition Akhilesh Yadav tweeting that crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high. Yadav also alleged that some people were deliberately creating an atmosphere of fear.

The state government has ordered a high-level investigation into the murders, and the UP police have formed a three-member Special Investigation Team to probe the incident. The Supreme Court has also agreed to hear a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the killings and the growing trend of encounter killings by the UP police.

The petitioner has argued that such actions by the police pose a severe threat to democracy and the rule of law.