UP: 16,000 criminals booked, assets of gangsters' worth Rs 2,100 crore seized

LUCKNOW: Continuing sustained crackdown against listed criminals and gangsters, UP Police booked as many as 16,158 criminals and gangsters and seized their properties worth Rs 2100 crore in a span of 180 days. Also, its anti-terrorist squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF) got more units and personnel to combat terrorism.
To crack down on sale of psychotropic substances, a dedicated unit, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), was formed. UP Police also got as many as 76,000 loudspeakers of different faiths removed in the same period and donated to the schools.
ADG, law and order, Prashant Kumar, said by attacking the backbone of the mafia, their properties worth about Rs 2100 crore have been involved in the seizure. Kumar also highlighted how efforts of the state led to conviction of don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in two cases in a span of three days by the high court.
"Intensive crackdown has also been taken on those running, tenders, firms and illegal businesses in the name of listed mafia gangs, by suspending their licences, and also attaching their properties," said Kumar.
The ADG also said that in the last six months all major events, like Kanwar Yatras and Muharram processions, passed off peacefully with no major law and order issue. "We also effectively tackled the protests of the Agnipath scheme," he said. "We got as many as 76,000 loudspeakers removed from different religious places, while the decibel level of 58,000 other loudspeakers was reduced in compliance with the order of the High Court. At least 25,231 of these loudspeakers have been provided to schools and 3,000 used for the public address system," said Kumar, adding that emphasis and focus have been made to strengthen the force.
"Two new field units of UP ATS are being established in Bahraich and Shravasti. Approval has also been obtained for identification of one new commando team of SPOT and for conducting training with the help of Central Reserve Police Force and Indian Army and for land marking for the Commando Training Centre in Rampur district," said Kumar.
The ADG said that the process for obtaining approval for the construction of office buildings for setting up field units in Agra, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Bareilly districts of UP STF and for allotment of land for construction of transit hostel in Noida has also begun.