UP Police Encounters Surge Under Yogi Adityanath Govt: Over 230 Criminals Killed, Thousands Arrested Since 2017
Newly released data from the Uttar Pradesh Police reveals a dramatic surge in police encounters across the state since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government came to power under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2017.
For the first time, the police have made public a comprehensive breakdown of their anti-crime operations over the past eight years, highlighting both achievements and sacrifices in their war against crime.
According to the figures shared by Acting Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna, between 2017 and 2024, 234 hardened criminals were killed in police encounters, and another 9,202 were injured during gun battles and other high-intensity operations.
These actions were conducted under a zero-tolerance policy towards crime, a core principle of the current state administration.
Over the eight years, the state recorded 14,741 police encounters, resulting in the arrest of 30,293 criminals. However, the campaign has also taken a toll on the police force: 18 officers lost their lives while on duty, and more than 1,700 policemen sustained injuries during these dangerous engagements.
Among the various police zones, Meerut emerged as the most active in terms of encounter operations. The region witnessed 4,183 encounters, which led to the arrest of 7,871 criminals.
As many as 2,839 suspects were injured, and 77 notorious criminals were neutralized in these confrontations. The zone also reported two police fatalities and 452 injuries among its personnel.
Varanasi zone recorded the second-highest number of encounters, with 1,041 incidents. These operations led to the arrest of 2,009 individuals, 605 injuries to suspects, and 26 fatalities among criminal elements. During the same period, 96 police officers were injured in Varanasi.
The Agra zone reported 2,288 encounter operations, resulting in 5,496 arrests. Among the suspects, 715 were injured, and 19 were killed. The zone also reported 56 police personnel injured in these actions.
The data underscores a clear and continued emphasis by the state administration on aggressive policing and swift action against criminal networks.
While the government touts the figures as evidence of improved law and order, critics and human rights groups have occasionally raised concerns about alleged extra-judicial methods and due process violations. Nonetheless, the statistics reflect a sustained and widespread effort to dismantle organized crime and bolster public safety in Uttar Pradesh.
