Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended police encounters, saying officers act in self-defense while enforcing the law. Addressing public concerns, he asked, “If police did not fire, would they have been shot? Both cannot happen simultaneously.” He emphasized that law-abiding governance sometimes requires immediate action to bring criminals under legal authority. Adityanath noted that under his tenure, practices like “gunda tax” on businessmen have ended, and lawlessness and unrest in the state have significantly reduced. He explained that police are trained to respond to threats in the appropriate manner and communicate with offenders in the “language of the law.” Highlighting UP’s improved law and order record, the Chief Minister said that over the past nine years, festivals and major events have proceeded peacefully, with no disruption of public safety. He stressed that protecting citizens while ensuring criminals face consequences is a top government priority. The statement underscores the state government’s focus on strict law enforcement, crime prevention, and maintaining social harmony, reflecting its broader strategy to ensure safety and order across Uttar Pradesh.


