© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Three days after gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in a brazen killing on live television, while accompanied by police, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said that “mafia in UP who were a threat earlier are now themselves facing threats”.
Addressing an event marking the signing of an MoU for a 1,000-acre textile park in Lucknow and Hardoi districts, Adityanath claimed improved law and order situation in the state, making UP a favourable destination for industry and investment.
“Before 2017, UP was known for two things. The law and order situation was bad. It was also known for riots. People were scared of just the names of several districts. There is no need to be scared of any district anymore. Those who were a threat to the identity of UP are today facing threats,” Adityanath said.
The killing of Atiq and Ashraf, close on the heels of an encounter that killed Atiq’s son Asad and an associate, had led to an Opposition uproar. The Adityanath government has ordered a judicial inquiry and an SIT probe into the two incidents.
Speaking at the Lucknow event, Adityanath said: “No mafia can spread terror in UP today and every district is now safe, with its own identity.”
He added: “I assure you all that UP has shed its image of rioting. Every second or third day, there would be a riot. Between 2012 and 2017, there were more than 700 riots. Between 2007 and 2012, there were more than 364 riots. Not a single riot has happened between 2017 and 2023. Not once has curfew been imposed. For industry and to attract investment, it is a favourable situation. Now, no mafia or professional criminal can threaten an industrialist.”
At the event, the MoU was signed between Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Textiles, Government of India, and Amit Mohan Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Handloom and Textile Industry, MSME, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Apart from Piyush Goyal, Uttar Pradesh MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan, and Union Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Vikram Jardosh were present at the event.
Adityanath thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for choosing UP under PM Mega Integrated Textiles and Apparel (PM Mitra) Scheme, under which the textile parks are coming up, saying this would re-establish UP’s “ancient glory” and help make the state the “new textile hub” of the country.
“As a result of efforts in the last six years (when the BJP has been in power), the state has received investment proposals worth over Rs 35 lakh crore,” he said, announcing several schemes to improve the textile sector.
