In a decisive crackdown on crime, the Yogi Adityanath government, adhering to its ‘zero tolerance policy’, has relentlessly targeted notorious criminals and illegal operations across Uttar Pradesh.

The state’s Special Task Force (UP STF) has taken swift action against drug traffickers, arms smugglers, cyber criminals and the ‘nakal mafia’. Over the past seven and a half years, more than 7,000 notorious criminals have been arrested, while 49 have been killed in police encounters, dealing a significant blow to organised crime in the state.

Additionally, significant quantities of illegal weapons, narcotics and banned animal skins and bones have been seized. The STF, using its intelligence network, also thwarted more than 559 criminal incidents before they could occur, further demonstrating its proactive approach.

ADG (STF) Amitabh Yash stated that in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives, the Special Task Force is conducting a continuous campaign to curb crime and apprehend criminals across the state.

“Over the past seven and a half years, the STF has arrested a total of 7,015 notorious and wanted criminals, with 49 criminals being killed during this period. All of them had bounties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh,” he said.

Additionally, through heightened alertness and vigilance under the zero-tolerance policy, more than 559 criminal incidents were averted before they could occur. These included serious crimes such as kidnapping, robbery and the planned murders of public representatives, prominent individuals and ordinary citizens. Furthermore, 3,970 organised criminals were also apprehended during this time, the ADG added.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the STF has taken action against 926 kingpins and paper solvers from 193 gangs over the past seven and a half years to eliminate examination-related malpractices such as cheating and paper leaks. This has significantly enhanced the credibility of the Yogi government among the youth.

Additionally, 379 cybercriminals involved in various cyber crimes have also been apprehended.

In a separate campaign targeting illegal arms smuggling, the STF has arrested 189 criminals, recovering 2,080 illegal weapons and 8,229 illegal cartridges from their possession.

Furthermore, the STF cracked down on liquor smuggling, arresting 523 smugglers involved in transporting liquor from states such as Punjab and Haryana. A total of 80,579 boxes of liquor, 330,866 litres of rectified spirit, and 7,560 litres of prepared country liquor were seized during these operations.

STF Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Singh reported that the agency arrested 1,082 individuals involved in the illegal drug trade and seized a large quantity of narcotics, including 91,147.48 kilograms of ganja, 2,054.651 kilograms of charas, 19,727.1 kilograms of doda/poppy, 7.06 kilograms of morphine, 723.758 kilograms of smack, 21.521 kilograms of heroin, 181.012 kilograms of opium, 6.1 kilograms of brown sugar, 6.938 kilograms of mephedrone, and 280,899 banned drugs. Vehicles used in the transportation of these substances were also seized, and appropriate legal action was taken.

In addition, the STF arrested 170 criminals from various gangs involved in poaching and smuggling of prohibited wildlife. The recoveries included 341 kilograms of tortoise calipee, two pangolins, one tiger skin, 18 kilograms of tiger bone, two elephant tusks, 8,011 tortoises, 4,922 prohibited birds, one hyena skeleton, 20 grey langurs, one leopard skin, 4.12 kilograms of ambergris, four wild boar teeth, 563.1 kilograms of red sandalwood, 44 ivory items, 25 leopard teeth, 24 leopard nails, 110 jackal horns, 140 Indrajal plants, one tiger skeleton, one python, and one snake. Vehicles, cash and other items used in these illegal activities were also recovered.

During this period, the STF carried out a total of 2,670 commendable operations.