Tag: Atiq Ashraf Shot Live On Camera

‘Yogi Govt’s Real Test Lies in Not Allowing New Mafia Dons to Breed’

By LokMarg

Madhup Kumar Pandey, a social worker in Prayagraj, says that though the end of Mafia duo Atiq and Ashraf was destined, the killing reflects the failure of city police. His views:

Organised criminals and gangs keep cropping up like water bubbles in Prayagraj; as also in various districts of Uttar Pradesh. However, after a certain period of lording over extortion rackets, such mafia dons meet a similar fate: either they get eliminated in police encounter or killed by their rivals. This is a cycle which I have witnessed throughout my life in this state.

But, the way Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were killed, live on camera and in full presence of police and media channels, is unprecedented in the history of Uttar Pradesh. Clearly, the killings must have been planned well in advance and the perpetrators were used as pawns. Their profile shows that they were mere puppets; the mastermind of this brazen act is still at large. This apparently shows the city police in poor light and raises questions about the real motive.

The murder mystery has also led to many conspiracy theories in the district. Some call it state handiwork in collusion with the police while many others are describing it as targeting of Muslim leaders by Yogi Adityanath government. Both such claims are laughable and politically motivated. It is well known that ever since coming to power, the Yogi administration has been aggressively handling with the mafia elements in the state; caste or religion have never been its concern. Vikas Dube and Ani Dujana are two glaring examples.

ALSO READ: ‘There Is Something Fishy About Atiq’s Killing’

As a Prayagraj citizen, I can safely tell you that local people are not unhappy about the killing. Mafia dons rule by spreading an atmosphere of fear in people; hence their elimination always brings a sigh of relief. What the media should question is how such criminals are allowed to prosper and thrive. Obviously, they cannot survive if the government of the day deals with them firmly.

Yogi administration has created an image where they are dealing firmly with mafia in the state. However, the real test of the Government will be that organized crime is not allowed to breed in the first place. That will reaffirm peoples’ faith in law and order.

There have been talks that after confiscating ₹11,000 crore worth of properties and assets of these mafias, the government is planning to return them back to the victims and persons from whom these assets were forcefully taken away. Apparently, this will be a tall order to fulfil but even if in some cases, such an example is set, it will only boost the image of Yogi Adityanath as an able and just administrator.

Eliminating criminals is the easy part. Re-establishing the rule of law, not allowing petty criminals to become organised mafia and bringing justice to the victims of organised crime are the touchstones where Yogi regime will need to prove its mettle.

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Opinion on Atiq’s Killing is Divided in Prayagraj; Some Hail It, Others Condemn It’

By LokMarg

Utkarsh Singh, a pharmacist in Prayagraj, says while some feel Atiq’s killing was destined others say such incidents undermine justice deliver system. His views

The recent killing of Atiq Ahmed, a former Member of Parliament, has shocked and outraged the people of Prayagraj. Atiq Ahmed has been a controversial figure in Prayagraj politics. He was known as a dreaded mafia don with a history of criminal activities but at the same time he also enjoyed popular support among a section of the Prayagraj electorate.

The killing has therefore sparked to diagonally opposite set of reactions. Some see it as a welcome end to a notorious underworld figure while others believe that such extrajudicial killings are a threat to the rule of law and the democratic process in the state. It all depends on which side of political spectrum are you from.

Those who see Ahmed’s killing as a positive development argue that he deserved to be punished for his past crimes: If you live by the gun, you will die by the gun. One reason for their support is our sluggish legal system where justice is either delayed or provides many a loophole for the criminals to continue operating even from inside the jails. This group also lists out Atiq’s involvement in multiple cases of murder, extortion, and other criminal acts. They believe that the death of such a person will send a strong message to other criminals and act as a deterrent for others to take such a course.

ALSO READ: ‘There is Something Definitely Fishy About Atiq’s Killing’

The other set of group in Prayagraj believes that violence can never be the answer and the live-on-camera killing only shows UP police in poor light which will embolden other criminals. This group feels our political leaders should set an example for the community by resolving their differences peacefully and avoid rhetoric statements such as “mitti me mila denge” (will reduce them to dust)

I too feel that no matter what a person’s past is, extrajudicial killings cannot be justified. Such killings undermine the rule of law and democracy. Many have pointed out that the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to a fair trial and due process of law. Ahmed too should have been brought to judicial trial and held accountable for his crimes through legal means.

There are also concerns about the potential impact of Ahmed’s killing on the upcoming state elections. Ahmed was a leader of the Apna Dal (S), a small regional party which has been seeking to expand its presence in the region. His death could have implications for the party’s fortunes in the upcoming polls.

Overall, the killing has stirred up strong emotions and debates in Prayagraj. While some see it as a necessary step in the fight against crime, others believe that it is a dangerous precedent that could have serious implications. In any case, the incident has highlighted the need for a greater focus on addressing the issue of crime and violence in the region, as well as the need to strengthen the rule of law and ensure justice for all.

As told to Deepti Sharma

Atiq’s Killing is Not a Simple Story of Crime & Punishment; There is Something Fishy’

By LokMarg

Tariq Umar, a businessman from Prayagraj, says the role and professionalism of Uttar Pradesh Police is also suspect in the killing of gangster-turned politician Atiq Ahmed. His views:

There is a popular saying that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, who were killed live on camera from point-blank range, were dreaded gangsters who had unleashed reign of terror in Prayagraj. Every criminal, big or small, is destined to be brought to justice sooner or later. Probably, the same happened in the gangster-turned-politicians Atiq and Ashraf.

Having said that I must add that there is more to theses killings than meets the eye. It looks like a well thought out and cleverly planned conspiracy to eliminate the duo. And the role and professionalism of the police team accompanying the two convicts also creates suspicions of the killings being pre-planned. While UP Police of late is being praised for neutralising criminals, this particular incident shows them in poor light.

There was also pure negligence of the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court regarding handling and protection of criminals in custody. The manner in which the convicts were being produced late in the evening, surrounded by TV News Channels, also raises doubts about the legal procedures being followed.

I have been a first-hand witness of the atrocities of Atiq Ahmed’s criminal activities. His musclemen once forcibly entered into the house of a family friend and threatened them openly to fall in line or face consequences. Another stark example of his atrocities were disclosed recently before a news channel by Sadiq, a witness of the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal.

Tariq says conspiracy theories abound over the killings

The media has already reported how judge after judge recused themselves from hearing the cases against Atiq Ahmed. When even higher judiciary is afraid of these gangsters, one can gauge how much influence and power they wielded in their hay days. It is believed that Atiq’s reach was everywhere, from the corridors of power in Lucknow, Delhi or courts and police stations.

ALSO READ: ‘Mastermind of Atiq’s Murder Still Behind The Curtain’

But this does not mean that the criminals be denied a fair trial. Any extra-judicial killings – be that in the case of Vikas Dubey or Atiq Ahmed, will only harm India’s criminal justice system. We need to strength people’s faith in justice.

Meanwhile, the matter has become a political football, where everyone is trying score a point either by expressing ‘sorrow’ and concern for the deceased family or by praising the elimination of the crimnal duo. Some are fanning a conspiracy theory that the plot to kill the two convicts was hatched in the chief minister’s office and Yogi Adityanath is the real ‘mastermind’ of this action.

As far as the citizens of Allahabad (now Prayagraj) are concerned, we feel the city has one criminal gang less now. This historic city has seen many criminals rise, prosper but ultimately razed to the ground. Such has been the fate destined by all of them by the Almighty.

Initially, most of us were more bothered by the suspension of Internet facilities in the city than the killing of Atiq and his brother. For internet impacted our daily life more. Thankfully, the region has by and large been peaceful and its lovely people are moving ahead with their routine life in the same pace.

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Mastermind of Atiq & Ashraf’s Murders Hiding Behind The Curtain’

By LokMarg

Suman, a senior journalist based in Lucknow, UP, says that the live-on-TV murders of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf appear to be a scripted drama. Her views:

The murders of Atiq Ahmed and his brother are indeed uncannily strange and surprising. The young, amateur, unknown killers, from small towns in UP, were not using ‘tamanchas’ or ‘kataas’, the desi, country-made guns manufactured in the underground criminal network; they were using expensive, sophisticated, foreign pistols with expensive bullets. They don’t seem to be amateurs at all as the pistol was put on the ‘kanpati’ of Atiq and fired at point-blank range – they behaved like “seasoned assassins” who know their job.

How did they get together and hatch this plan, and execute it with such efficiency and precision, and with such daring, right under the nose of the armed UP police, if they happen to be such small-time criminals, and apparently not connected to each other or any organized mafia or gangsters’ group? Clearly, they were hired by someone – as fully-trained and cold-blooded ‘assassins’!

Surprisingly, except for the two brothers who got killed, nobody seems to have got injured as these killers fired several rounds! Not a single cop got injured, it seems! And why did the entire police force, which was giving security to Atiq, run away from the spot, instead of choosing to protect him, and retaliate against these ‘amateur’ killers? Not a single shot was apparently fired by the police! Despite the cops having run away, the killers said two things: Surrender and Jai Shri Ram! How much more eerie can this seemingly, scripted, script become!

And why were the brothers made to walk, surrounded by TV cameras and media in such close proximity, at 10.30 pm in the night? Why were they brought in for a health check-up late at night? This remains a troubling question, though the police can claim that there is no law to prohibit them about the hour they choose for a medical check-up. How did the killers come to know about this schedule and that the media would be around in such close proximity to Atiq and his brother?

ALSO WATCH: ‘If You Kill A Cop, You Destiny Is Clear’

The assassins look like puppets. Someone else, or, some others, are playing them from behind the curtain, it seems. There are reports that the motorcycle in which they arrived had a fake number plate. A prominent TV channel said that this bike was owned by the police. There was huge security in the funeral of Asad, Atiq’s 18-year-old son, who, too, was shot dead in an encounter earlier – that was the 183rd encounter in UP under the current regime. So, if they could organise such massive security for his funeral, why did they not do the same in the case of Atiq, who was in the custody of the UP police after being taken out of the Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat? Ashraf was brought from Bareily jail. The judiciary had sent them to police remand, isn’t it?

The ADG (Law and Order) of UP had earlier said that there is a danger that Atiq can be freed in UP by his gangster friends, while he is on the road under police custody. Atiq himself had expressed the fear that he could be murdered. Surely, this murder has a striking similarity with the earlier ‘encounter’ of Vikas Dubey in UP.

Besides, look at the reaction of the ministers of the BJP-led government in  UP. One minister, Swatantra Deo Singh, known to be close to the current chief minister, said in a tweet that “paap aur punya ka hisaab isi duniya mein hota hain…” meaning that sin and good acts get their due in this world itself. Another minister said that this was divine intervention – an “aasmani” act.

So, who will benefit from these brazen, cold-blooded murders (and other encounters) in UP, under the auspices of the UP police, and, which, apparently, seems a well-planned, thought-out and stage-managed murders in full public view with live TV cameras?

There is a section of population in UP which believes that courts are taking too long to provide justice, that bahubalis, dons and the mafia is getting away under the due process of law, that there should be ‘quick justice’ and that this is indeed a very good trend. After the murders, there crackers were burst and sweets were distributed in some places, it has been reported. They really care a damn for the due process of law, or the values and doctrines of a society based on democracy and the Indian Constitution. This section seems to be aligned with the current dispensation – and their views, and joy, clearly, makes the current establishment in UP and India – extremely happy.

As told to Amit Sengupta