Since Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, there have been over 10,900 encounters in the state, leading to the deaths of more than 183 people according to the UP Police data. A total of 1,443 police officers were injured and 13 were killed. Out of the 13 police officers, 8 were killed by the helpers of famous gangster Vikas Dubey.
Image- Outlook
Dubey was shot dead by police when he attempted to escape while being brought to UP from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Police said Dubey’s vehicle had toppled during the escape and he had grabbed a cop’s weapon.
There has been a 1000% rise in the complaints of fake encounters in UP after 2017. According to NCRB police had killed 15 innocent people in encounters across all the states and out of these 15, four are from UP.
Supporters of the Chief Minister argue that these encounters are necessary to maintain law and order in the state, while the opposition has raised concerns about the legality and morality of these encounters. On multiple occasions the police failed to inform the families of the killed about their death and provide the autopsy report to them. In the investigation following the encounter the investigation guidelines provided by supreme court were not followed.
So, what exactly are encounters? Encounters are extrajudicial killings carried out by the police, often in cases where the suspects are accused of heinous crimes. In the case of Uttar Pradesh, most of these encounters have been carried out by the police claiming self-defence, after the suspects tried to run away and opened fire on them.
But are these encounters legal? The police argue that these encounters are carried out in self-defence and are therefore legal under Indian law. However, many human rights organisations and legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of these killings, especially in cases where the suspects are unarmed or there is evidence of fake encounters.
The impact of these encounters on the people of Uttar Pradesh cannot be overstated. While supporters of the Chief Minister argue that the encounters have made the state safer by cracking down on crime, the opposition has raised concerns about the lack of due process and the violation of human rights. Many families of the victims have accused their loved ones were innocent and being targeted solely based on their religion or caste.
What can be done about this issue? Well, for starters, there needs to be greater transparency and accountability in the use of encounters. The police must be held accountable for their actions and there needs to be greater oversight of their activities. At the same time, the government needs to invest in other means of maintaining law and order, such as community policing and judicial reform.
Encounters in Uttar Pradesh are a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While they may be effective in the short term, they come at a high cost to human rights and the rule of law. We must continue to demand accountability and transparency from the government to ensure that justice is served for all.
