Tag: Prayagraj Police

‘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

Raid On Atiq’s Residence In Lucknow, Seizes Two Luxury Cars

Raid On Atiq’s Residence In Lucknow, Seizes Two Luxury Cars

By LokMarg

Prayagraj Police conducted a raid on gangster-turned-politician and former Samajwadi Party leader Atiq Ahmed’s residence in the Mahanagar area of Lucknow, seizing two luxury cars from the Universal Apartments, police sources said on Wednesday.

The raids were conducted on February 27 late night, sources said, adding that the action followed a shootout in which the prime witness in the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal, advocate Umesh Pal, was shot dead in Prayagraj on February 24.
Atiq Ahmed, along with his son Asad Ahmed and wife and BSP leader Shaista Parveen were named in the FIR in connection with the murder.

The police conducted the raid after receiving an input that some shooters had taken shelter in that apartment. However, they had left the place before the raid, police sources said on Wednesday.

The police, however, impounded two luxury cars and took them to the Mahanagar police station.

“STF and Prayagraj Police raided Universal Apartment flat number 202 and impounded two luxury vehicles, which were brought to Mahanagar police station. The vehicles are registered in the names of Atiq Ahmed’s family members,” a source said.

A guard at the building said the CCTV has been out of order for nearly two years.

“They left the flat on February 24 evening. There were 3 to 4 people. They (shooters) were not seen thereafter. The police took away the cars day before yesterday. Personnel from the STF and Mahanagar police station were here. Nobody was found in the flat,” a guard at the building said.

Earlier, in a major development in the Umesh Pal murder case, an accused was shot in an exchange of fire near the Nehru Park area in Prayagraj’s Dhoomanganj on Monday, a top police officer said.

The accused, identified as Arbaaz, was driving the car used in the murder of Umesh Pal, who was a prime witness in several cases, including the murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal.

The police said Arbaaz was injured and succumbed at the hospital.

“Accused Arbaaz was shot during the encounter that took place near Nehru Park in Dhoomanganj, Prayagraj earlier today. He was driving the car that was used in the murder (of Umesh Pal) and was fired upon,” ADG law and order Prashant Kumar said on Monday.

“Arbaaz died during treatment at the hospital. The UP administration and the police have initiated a campaign against all such miscreants, gangsters, and mafia. There is also a crackdown on those sheltering such people,” he added.

Umesh Pal and one of his two armed security escorts were shot dead in Prayagraj’s Sulem Saray area on February 24. Several rounds were fired and bombs hurled at Umesh and his gunners.

The incident came days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lashed out at the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly on February 25, saying that his government would destroy the mafia.

Describing the Prayagraj incident as sad, CM Yogi said “The government has taken cognisance of it and the results of our policy of zero tolerance for crime would be there for everyone to see very soon. No one should have any doubts about it.”

“Is it not true that the accused against whom the FIR has been lodged, was made an MP by Samajwadi Party? You raise and nurture all the criminals, garland them and then blame others when a crime takes place. By doing this, you are just making a spectacle of yourself,” the CM added, in an attack on SP members.

Meanwhile, SP MLA Pooja Pal (wife of Lt. BSP MLA Raju Pal) met CM Adityanath on Tuesday, demanding for Y+ security for herself and family. (ANI)

Read More:http://13.232.95.176/