Yogi Adityanath Assures Industrialists With Strong Remark Against Mafia Days After Atiq Ahmed Killing

Yogi Adityanath declared that industrialists in Uttar Pradesh are no longer at the mercy of mafia or criminals, following the recent murders of Atiq Ahmed and his brother.

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh made the remark, which drew a round of applause, on Tuesday (18 April) at an event celebrating the signing of an agreement to establish textile parks in Lucknow and Hardoi districts, as part of the PM Mitra scheme.

"Uttar Pradesh was notorious for riots. Just the names of many districts scared people. Now there is no need to be scared," he said. 

Adityanath said there were over 700 riots from 2012 to 2017 in the state, under the previous Akhilesh Yadav-led government.

However, he said there were no riots or curfews imposed in Uttar Pradesh between 2017 and 2023, indicating that it is an ideal time to invest and establish industries.

The state now "guarantees effective law and order arrangements," the Chief Minister said.

Gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were killed outside a hospital in Prayagraj on Saturday night (15 April).

The two accused in the Umesh Pal murder case were taken for a medical check-up when gunmen opened fire, instantly killing them.

The state government has ordered a probe into the murders amid criticism over the security lapse and the larger law and order situation.

Uttar Pradesh police, too, have formed a three-member Special Investigation Team to look into the incident.