Lucknow, October 14, 2025: In a detailed statement released on Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh government highlighted the unprecedented scale of its law enforcement operations over the past eight and a half years, emphasizing its zero-tolerance approach toward crime and criminal elements. The Uttar Pradesh Police, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has implemented a series of measures aimed at ensuring law and order across the state while simultaneously creating an environment of safety and accountability for citizens.

Over the last two decades, Uttar Pradesh has faced significant challenges in terms of criminal activity, organized mafia networks, and lawlessness in various regions. With its massive population and geographic diversity, the state has historically contended with a wide array of crimes ranging from property-related offenses, extortion, and kidnapping to violent crimes such as murder, gang rape, and terror-related activities. Recognizing the urgent need to address these issues, the Yogi Adityanath government, which assumed office in March 2017, immediately implemented stringent policing measures that would later serve as the foundation for what is now regarded as one of India’s most aggressive and proactive law enforcement campaigns.

Recent Operations and High-Profile Cases

In the last 20 days alone, Uttar Pradesh police intensified operations across multiple zones, neutralizing or arresting several wanted suspects. One of the most notable operations involved the elimination of Shehzad, alias Nikki, in Meerut under the mission codenamed Mission Shakti 5.0. Shehzad was known to carry a bounty of ₹25,000 for committing a heinous crime against a minor girl. His elimination represents the law enforcement’s resolve to act decisively against perpetrators of violent crimes, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Earlier, strong action was taken against miscreants involved in firing outside the residence of actress Disha Patani in Bareilly, highlighting the state’s focus on safeguarding public figures while simultaneously sending a broader message against lawlessness and intimidation tactics. Such high-profile operations serve multiple purposes: they restore public confidence in law enforcement, act as a deterrent for organized criminals, and demonstrate the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Cumulative Statistics Since 2017

The scope of Uttar Pradesh police operations is staggering. Since the Yogi Adityanath government assumed office, the state has witnessed 15,726 police encounters, in which 256 hardened criminals were eliminated, and 31,960 criminals were arrested. Additionally, these encounters resulted in 10,324 criminals being injured. The risks faced by police personnel have also been significant, with 18 officers martyred and 1,754 injured in shoot-outs and confrontations. These statistics underscore the human cost of maintaining law and order and highlight the courage and dedication of police officers serving in the state.

Zone-Wise Breakdown of Encounters and Operations

The distribution of encounters and operations across various zones provides insight into the strategic deployment of law enforcement resources.

1. Meerut Zone: This zone has emerged as a critical operational area, witnessing 4,453 encounters. These encounters led to the arrest of 8,312 criminals, while 3,131 were injured. In total, 85 notorious criminals were eliminated, with two police personnel martyred and 461 injured in the course of these operations. The high volume of encounters in Meerut indicates concentrated efforts to dismantle organized criminal networks and suppress violent crime in the western part of the state.
2. Varanasi Zone: Ranking second in terms of operations, the Varanasi Zone recorded 1,108 encounters, resulting in the arrest of 2,128 criminals, 27 criminals killed, and 688 injured. Additionally, 99 police personnel sustained injuries, demonstrating the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing crime in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Varanasi operations focused not only on violent criminals but also on disrupting networks involved in extortion, illegal gambling, and property-related offenses.
3. Agra Zone: The Agra Zone held third place, with 2,374 encounters leading to 5,631 arrests and the elimination of 22 criminals. The zone also recorded 816 criminal injuries and 59 police personnel injuries, reflecting the intensity of operations in this historically strategic and populous region. Operations in Agra have combined intelligence-led interventions with direct action against organized crime, including gang operations and criminal extortion networks.

Other zones collectively account for the remaining encounters, arrests, and operations, reflecting the state’s comprehensive strategy to enforce law and order uniformly across urban and rural areas.

Strategic Initiatives and Policy Framework

The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a multifaceted approach to combat crime effectively. The strategy is anchored on the following pillars:

• Zero-Tolerance Policy: The guiding principle articulated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath—“A criminal will either be in jail or out of the state”—has become the cornerstone of policing in Uttar Pradesh. This principle has instilled a sense of fear among criminals while providing reassurance to law-abiding citizens.
• Crackdown on Organized Crime: The police have undertaken decisive actions against mafia networks, organized criminal syndicates, and illegal extortion rings. These operations include targeted raids, intelligence-based arrests, and the dismantling of entire networks involved in systematic criminal activity.
• Legal Enforcement: Beyond encounters, the state has effectively utilized statutory measures, including property seizures, cases under the Gangster Act, and the enforcement of stringent laws such as the National Security Act (NSA). These measures have enabled law enforcement agencies to preemptively disrupt criminal activities and neutralize high-risk elements.
• Mission-Oriented Policing: Operations like Mission Shakti 5.0 demonstrate the government’s adoption of mission-oriented strategies, focusing on swift and decisive actions against specific high-threat individuals or groups. Such targeted operations enhance the efficiency of law enforcement and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
• Community Engagement and Citizen Safety: A critical component of the law enforcement strategy has been fostering trust between the police and local communities. By emphasizing the protection of citizens and ensuring rapid responses to criminal incidents, the government has sought to strengthen public confidence in policing institutions.

Impact on Criminal Behavior and Public Perception

The long-term enforcement campaign has produced several measurable outcomes:

• Reduction in Violent Crime: The systematic neutralization of hardened criminals and high-profile offenders has disrupted cycles of violence, leading to a more secure environment for residents.
• Deterrence Effect: The aggressive policing and visible consequences for criminal activity have instilled fear among organized crime groups, forcing many to flee the state or abandon illicit operations.
• Enhanced Law and Order Reputation: Uttar Pradesh’s approach to crime control has received national recognition, positioning the state as a model for proactive law enforcement in India.
• Strengthened Rule of Law: By implementing both direct action against criminals and statutory enforcement measures, the government has reinforced the principle that illegal activity will be met with both punitive and preventive responses.

Challenges and Considerations

While the UP police operations have been largely lauded, they also entail complex operational and ethical challenges:

• Risk to Law Enforcement Personnel: The data underscores the dangers faced by officers in high-intensity encounters, necessitating robust training, equipment, and support systems to ensure their safety.
• Balancing Force and Legal Norms: High-frequency encounters require careful adherence to legal and ethical standards, ensuring that operations are consistent with due process and human rights considerations.
• Socioeconomic Context: Many criminals targeted in encounters are embedded in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Sustainable crime reduction requires complementary social and economic initiatives alongside policing measures.
• Public Accountability: Maintaining transparency in encounters and arrests is critical to sustaining public trust and preventing allegations of misuse of power.

Historical Context and Law Enforcement Evolution

Uttar Pradesh, being India’s most populous state, has a long history of law and order challenges. In previous decades, criminal activity, political interference, and resource constraints hampered policing effectiveness. The present administration has sought to reform these systemic issues through a combination of administrative restructuring, enhanced intelligence capabilities, and focused operational campaigns.

Training and Capacity Building

• Specialized Training: Officers receive training in tactical operations, crowd control, and urban as well as rural policing strategies.
• Use of Technology: Integration of digital surveillance, crime analytics, and communication networks has enabled precision in targeting criminal activity.
• Coordination with Central Agencies: The UP police maintain active collaboration with national agencies for intelligence-sharing, joint operations, and rapid response to organized crime networks.

Mission Shakti and Targeted Operations

Mission Shakti operations have been a hallmark of the Yogi Adityanath government’s strategy. These missions are designed to identify and neutralize key criminal figures through coordinated intelligence gathering, precise operational planning, and rapid execution. Each iteration of Mission Shakti, from 1.0 to the current 5.0, has focused on specific objectives, including the dismantling of criminal gangs, anti-mafia operations, and the prevention of violent crime against women and minors.

Legal and Institutional Framework

• Gangster Act Enforcement: The Gangster Act has been utilized extensively to prosecute repeat offenders, allowing for preventive detention and enhanced surveillance of high-risk individuals.
• National Security Act: Application of the NSA has enabled authorities to address threats posed by organized criminal networks with strategic implications for public safety.
• Judicial Oversight: Courts continue to oversee operations, ensuring compliance with legal protocols, particularly concerning the use of force and due process in encounters.

Conclusion

The Uttar Pradesh police campaign since 2017 represents one of the most ambitious and sustained law enforcement initiatives in contemporary India. Through over 15,000 encounters, elimination of hardened criminals, and the arrest of tens of thousands of offenders, the state government has sought to reshape the security landscape, instill public confidence, and reinforce the rule of law.

While challenges remain—particularly in balancing aggressive policing with ethical standards and civil liberties—the state has established a model of proactive, mission-oriented law enforcement. By combining targeted encounters, legal enforcement, intelligence-led policing, and public engagement, Uttar Pradesh continues to build its identity as a safe, law-abiding, and citizen-focused state, earning national recognition and setting benchmarks for other states to follow.

The eight-and-a-half-year-long campaign reflects a comprehensive approach that integrates direct action against criminals with broader strategies to disrupt organized crime networks, safeguard citizens, and maintain social stability. The continued focus on intelligence, training, and operational precision ensures that Uttar Pradesh remains at the forefront of innovative and effective law enforcement in India.