People knelt before mafia, police were helpless before 2017: CM Yogi
CM Yogi Adityanath claims people had to kneel before the mafia before 2017 and highlights police reforms in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath delivered a scathing critique of the state's previous administration on Thursday, claiming that prior to his government taking office in 2017, the law enforcement machinery was powerless against criminal elements. Speaking at a significant event in Lucknow, the Chief Minister highlighted how the fear of organized crime once dominated the lives of ordinary citizens.
A State Defined by Fear and Paralysis
During a ceremony held to flag off 87 advanced Interceptor Vehicles, CM Yogi reflected on the dire circumstances that gripped Uttar Pradesh before the BJP's ascent to power. He noted that the state was struggling on multiple fronts, including economic growth, employment, and the adoption of new technologies.
The Chief Minister painted a grim picture of the social climate during that era, stating: "People would grovel and kneel before the mafia, and the police were helpless." He attributed this breakdown of order to a lack of political will, suggesting that without decisive leadership, the police could not effectively maintain law and order.
He further remarked that the state's reputation had suffered so significantly that people would often dismiss individuals simply by identifying them as being from Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized that his administration's primary goal was to rescue the state from this "policy paralysis" and restore its dignity.
Modernizing Law Enforcement and Safety
To demonstrate the shift in governance, the Chief Minister detailed the extensive technological and structural reforms implemented under his leadership. He highlighted several key initiatives aimed at creating a "Safe City" environment:
- Police Reforms: Comprehensive changes to improve the efficiency and capability of law enforcement.
- Surveillance Expansion: The installation of over 14 lakh cameras across various cities to monitor activity.
- Command Centres: The establishment of Integrated Command and Control Centres in every district to streamline operations.
- Interceptor Deployment: The introduction of new, high-tech interceptor vehicles to enhance traffic management and safety.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Gorakhpur Flooding
While the Chief Minister focused on progress and security, the political atmosphere in the region was also charged by local grievances. UP Congress President Ajay Rai visited Gorakhpur to witness the aftermath of heavy rainfall that has left much of the area struggling with severe waterlogging.
Rai met with a local resident in Betiahata, a woman who runs a beauty parlour, whose business stock was entirely destroyed by floodwaters. Expressing sympathy for the affected families, Rai criticized the local administration for mismanagement.
The Congress leader demanded immediate compensation for those hit by the floods and called for accountability from the officials in charge. He concluded his visit with a sharp political demand, stating that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should apologize to the residents of Gorakhpur for the current state of affairs.