Information: In recent years, police encounters have been a significant law enforcement tool in various parts of India, especially in regions with high crime rates or insurgent activities. One of the most notable regions where encounters have taken place is the Meerut zone of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Since 2017, this zone has witnessed a staggering 3,723 encounters. This phenomenon has become a heated topic of debate, with political opponents criticizing the state’s administration for alleged misuse of encounters to achieve political objectives, while supporters argue that such actions are necessary to tackle crime.
The Case of Mangesh Yadav
Information: A recent encounter that has sparked political controversy is the killing of Mangesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh. His death has intensified the political discourse, with the opposition accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of using encounters for ulterior motives, potentially to sway public opinion or achieve certain political gains. On the other hand, the Yogi government and its supporters defend the encounter, stating that it is part of a broader effort to curb crime and bring notorious criminals to justice.
Uttar Pradesh: Leading the Country in Encounters
Information: According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, Uttar Pradesh leads the country in police encounters. Over the last seven years, the state has seen approximately 13,000 police encounters, as per The Times of India. These encounters have resulted in the deaths of 207 criminals and 17 police personnel. The Yogi Adityanath government presents these numbers as evidence of its crackdown on crime, although it continues to face criticism from human rights groups and political adversaries.
One Encounter Every 13 Days in Uttar Pradesh
When the data is broken down, it becomes apparent that one encounter takes place every 13 days in UP, resulting in the death of a criminal. Many of these criminals had bounties on their heads, ranging from ₹75,000 to ₹5 lakh. This strategy has been especially prominent in the Meerut zone, where the largest number of encounters in the state have been recorded.
In the last seven years, 3,723 encounters have taken place in Meerut, with 66 criminals killed. During these operations, the police arrested 7,014 criminals. Across the entire state, over 27,000 criminals have been apprehended as part of this encounter strategy.
States with the Most Encounters in India
Apart from Uttar Pradesh, other states have also witnessed significant numbers of police encounters. According to Dainik Bhaskar, from 2012 to 2017, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have the highest number of encounters.
- In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, encounters are primarily used to tackle organized crime and dangerous criminals.
- In Manipur, Assam, and Jharkhand, many of the encounters are linked to insurgencies, Naxalites, and militant activities, making the nature of encounters in these regions different from those in UP and Bihar.
