Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak strongly criticized Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday following allegations that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has turned the state into a ‘capital of fake encounters.’
Yadav had accused the BJP administration of targeting individuals from Pichhda, Dalit, and Alpasankhyak (PDA) communities in alleged fake encounters. “In Uttar Pradesh, fingers have been raised on many encounters…The government has targeted most people of PDA families in the many encounters,” Yadav had said.
Pathak responded by defending the state’s law and order situation, asserting that since the BJP took office in 2017, there has been significant improvement. He emphasized that the government’s primary role is to combat crime. “The general public is living in a fair and fear-free environment,” Pathak said.
Addressing the recent encounter in Sultanpur, Pathak stated that the opposition’s portrayal of criminals involved in the incident as victims was misleading. He clarified that the police had either killed or arrested the criminals involved. “In the Sultanpur robbery incident, the police arrested the criminals, and one was killed in an encounter. Over two and a half kilograms of gold were recovered from them,” he added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also weighed in on the issue, criticizing the BJP government for its handling of encounters. Gandhi alleged that the government’s approach undermines the rule of law and likened the Special Task Force (STF) operations to ‘criminal gangs.’ He questioned why no action has been taken against officers involved in controversial encounters.
The clash over the handling of encounters underscores the growing political tension as parties prepare for upcoming elections.