Bahraich Encounter: Examining Police Encounters Under Yogi Adityanath’s Govt in UP

The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has enforced a strict zero-tolerance policy against mafias and gangsters in the state. This approach has led to numerous police encounters in recent years, with the latest incident occurring in Bahraich.

Bahraich Encounter: Details of the Latest Incident

On October 17, two suspects involved in the Bahraich violence were shot by Uttar Pradesh Police while allegedly attempting to escape to Nepal. The suspects, identified as Sarfaraz alias Rinku and Mohammed Taleeb, were injured during a police operation based on a tip-off.

According to Amitabh Yash, Chief of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), the police were led to the suspects by information provided by two of their accomplices. The operation resulted in the recovery of firearms, including a loaded gun.

Bahraich Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla explained, “Two suspects were injured in retaliatory firing. Both have sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and are currently undergoing medical treatment.” The suspects have been referred to the district hospital for further care.

The violence in Bahraich, which erupted on October 13, stemmed from an alleged dispute over loud music being played during a Durga Puja immersion procession near a place of worship. The incident resulted in the death of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra from gunshot wounds.

Other High-Profile Encounters Under Yogi Adityanath’s Government

The Bahraich encounter is the latest in a series of high-profile police actions since 2017, when Yogi Adityanath took office. Several notable encounters have taken place over the past six years:

• Vikas Dubey Encounter (July 2020): Gangster Vikas Dubey was killed by the police in Kanpur while allegedly trying to escape after a police vehicle overturned.
• Tinku Kapala (July 2020): With a bounty of ₹1 lakh, gangster Tinku Kapala was killed in Barabanki during a joint operation by UP Police and the STF.
• Hamza Encounter (October 2021): Bangladeshi gangster Hamza was shot dead in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area during an encounter with police.
• Moti Singh Encounter (February 2021): Moti Singh, accused of killing a constable in Kasganj, was shot by the police.
• Vinod Kumar Singh (September 2022): A gangster with a ₹1 lakh bounty, Vinod Kumar Singh was killed in a shootout with Jaunpur police.
• Manish Singh, alias Sonu (March 2022): Wanted in 32 criminal cases and carrying a ₹2 lakh bounty, Manish Singh was killed in Varanasi by the STF.
• Asad Ahmed and Ghulam (April 2023): Sons of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, they were killed in Jhansi in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case.

Since Yogi Adityanath’s government came into power in March 2017, there have been a reported 183 police killings of criminals during 10,713 encounters across the state. Many of these individuals were wanted for serious offenses and carried cash rewards ranging from ₹75,000 to ₹5 lakh.

In addition to the fatalities, over 23,000 arrests have been made, with 4,911 suspects sustaining injuries. The crackdown has not been without cost to the police force, as 15 officers have lost their lives, and 1,424 have been injured in the line of duty.

The surge in police encounters has sparked a political debate, with opposition parties frequently criticizing the government for the rising number of extrajudicial killings. In one recent case, the death of Mangesh Yadav, who was involved in the Sultanpur robbery, led to heated exchanges between the ruling party and opposition.

The Yogi Adityanath government’s stance on law and order continues to be a focal point in the state’s political landscape, with police encounters seen as both a tool for swift justice and a topic of ongoing controversy.