In a strong defense of police actions against criminals, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday emphasized that restoring public confidence was as significant a challenge as tackling crime after 2017. Speaking at a pharma conclave in Lucknow, the CM posed a pointed question regarding police use of force.
Police Force Justified for Self-Defense
Addressing critics who question why police fire bullets, CM Adityanath retorted, "If the police don't fire, should they take bullets instead?" He elaborated in Hindi, "Agar police goli na maare to kya police goli khaye?" The Chief Minister stressed that both scenarios cannot occur simultaneously, underscoring the necessity of police action in dangerous situations.
Zero-Tolerance Policy as the Solution
The CM recalled that upon assuming responsibility for Uttar Pradesh in 2017, delegated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, law and order presented the most formidable challenge. He noted observing how criminals mocked the legal system and caused suffering to state residents between 2003 and 2017.
The solution, according to Adityanath, was implementing a strict zero-tolerance policy towards criminals. He asserted that the law was placed above everyone without exceptions or selective enforcement. "Even those on our side will have to face the same consequences if in the wrong," he affirmed, highlighting the impartial application of justice.
Establishing Fear of the Law
Initially, establishing fear of the law proved difficult during the crackdown. The CM explained that while efforts were made to operate within legal frameworks, circumstances often required immediate action. "When the person in front is not afraid of the law, bringing him within the ambit of the law and explaining it in the language he understands becomes an immediate necessity," he stated.
Adityanath justified police use of firearms by equating it with criminals' rights to shoot. "If a criminal has the freedom to fire, the police have been given pistols for the same reason to confront him," he said. Police officers receive training to communicate with offenders effectively, using methods they comprehend, ensuring public safety and order.
Transformation of Uttar Pradesh
The Chief Minister credited this approach for Uttar Pradesh's remarkable turnaround. He highlighted that over the past nine years, major festivals have been conducted peacefully without incidents of unrest.
Key achievements under this policy include:
- Elimination of peace breaches and anarchy
- Cessation of extortion and riots
- Reduction in hooliganism and lawlessness
As a result, Uttar Pradesh has shed its previous image as a hub of riots and extortion, transforming into a secure and appealing investment destination. "UP is no longer a 'Bimaru' state; it is a breakthrough state now," Adityanath proclaimed, referencing the state's economic and social progress.
This transformation underscores the effectiveness of the zero-tolerance policy in fostering an environment conducive to growth and stability, marking a new chapter for Uttar Pradesh under CM Yogi Adityanath's leadership.
