The recent inauguration of flats for the poor by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh has brought immense excitement and appreciation for his noble cause.

These flats were built on land confiscated from the notorious gangster-turned-politician, Atiq Ahmed, in the city of Prayagraj. During the ceremony, CM Adityanath personally handed over the keys to 76 families who were selected as beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). This initiative not only aims to provide affordable housing to the underprivileged but also sends a powerful message against the encroachment of land by mafia organizations.

Upon his arrival in Prayagraj, CM Yogi Adityanath interacted with children at the site and then proceeded to inspect the newly constructed flats. In his address to the people present, he highlighted the significance of this unique initiative, stating, "...A unique initiative has been taken forward today, from Prayagraj. Keys to flats, built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, on the land confiscated from the mafia are being handed over to 76 families...This is the same state where prior to 2017, mafia used to encroach upon the land of poor, businessmen & government. But now housing units are being built on the land freed from the mafia...I tell all the officials today, to build such housing units on land freed from the mafia in their respective areas. This will instil confidence in people..."

The reaction from the beneficiaries was overwhelmingly positive, with one recipient expressing, "It feels great. I could never have imagined that I will get my own house. Now nobody will tell me to leave from here..." This sentiment resonates deeply with the purpose of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which aims to provide housing security to the less fortunate sections of society, ensuring they have a place they can call their own.

Earlier this month, on June 9, CM Yogi Adityanath allocated a total of seventy-six flats constructed on the land previously seized from Atiq Ahmed to deserving individuals through a lottery system. Arvind Chauhan, the vice-chairman of the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA), revealed that the land seized from Atiq Ahmed was the same location where he resided and conducted his business activities. The PDA successfully completed the construction of 76 flats on this land, and the allocation was made based on the reservation rules set by the government, ensuring fair representation for Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, physically challenged individuals, and senior citizens.

Each of these flats is equipped with modern facilities, encompassing a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, a toilet, a bathroom, a balcony, as well as electricity, sewerage, and parking facilities. These amenities reflect the government's commitment to improving the living standards of the beneficiaries and providing them with a comfortable and secure living environment.

The efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his administration in transforming the confiscated land from a symbol of criminal activities into a safe haven for the underprivileged is truly commendable. By delivering homes to those in need, the government is not only fulfilling its duty but also empowering the marginalized sections of society and instilling confidence among the people. This noble cause sets an exemplary precedent for other officials to follow, encouraging them to replicate similar housing projects on land freed from the clutches of organized crime.

In conclusion, CM Yogi Adityanath's dedication to providing homes for the poor is deserving of appreciation and applause. The flats built on land confiscated from Atiq Ahmed serve as a testament to the government's commitment to the welfare of its citizens. By uplifting the lives of 76 families through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the government has made a significant stride in ensuring housing security for the underprivileged. Such initiatives create hope, optimism, and a sense of belonging among the less fortunate, making Uttar Pradesh a shining example for other states to emulate.

Unleashing the Warrior: Yogi Adityanath's Heroic Battle Against the Mafia in Uttar Pradesh

In the heart of Uttar Pradesh's robust law enforcement strategies under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lies the formidable weapon known as the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. This special law empowers the administration to seize the assets of individuals designated as gangsters. Among those who faced the brunt of this powerful act was former Samajwadi Party MP Atiq Ahmad, a tainted figure with a long history of criminal cases.

During Yogi Adityanath's tenure, the government utilized the Gangsters Act to its fullest extent, demolishing and confiscating Atiq's properties worth hundreds of crores. However, fate took a grim turn as Atiq and his brother Ashraf met their demise while in police custody, publicly witnessed by the media in Prayagraj. Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in March 2017, the police have lodged an astounding 20,068 FIRs and arrested 64,039 individuals under the stringent provisions of the Gangsters Act.

Amidst these operations, the police encountered criticism for alleged staged killings rather than genuine shootouts. Human rights activists contested the police's definition of these incidents as "encounters." Nonetheless, during the same period, 183 individuals were fatally shot by the police, while 4,947 sustained injuries. Tragically, 13 police officers lost their lives, and 1,428 were injured in the line of duty.

The UP police also claimed the seizure, demolition, or liberation of ill-gotten immovable and movable assets worth a staggering Rs. 9,162 crores since 2017. The UP Gangsters Act defines a gangster as a member, leader, or organizer of a gang, including those who assist or abet gang activities. Any group of individuals employing violence, threat, intimidation, coercion, or disturbance of order to gain unwarranted advantages falls under the purview of this act.

Section 14 of this contentious law empowers district magistrates to attach the properties of alleged gangsters. However, under the Yogi Adityanath government, this provision has been used not only against suspected criminals and designated "mafia" figures but also against opposition party leaders, MLAs, and ordinary citizens. Recently, the Yogi administration in Jhansi seized properties worth Rs. 130 crores belonging to former Samajwadi Party MLA Deep Narayan Singh under the Gangsters Act. Additionally, two properties owned by prominent SP legislator Irfan Solanki of Kanpur were confiscated in Noida and Ghaziabad due to the same law, leading to Solanki's arrest and subsequent imprisonment in a land grab case.

The Gangsters Act has often been accused of being misused to settle political scores and suppress opponents. In 2020, Justice Dinesh Singh of the Allahabad High Court observed the extensive misuse of the act by the police in Uttar Pradesh. The court noted that the act had been invoked to implicate individuals in multiple cases with fabricated and impossible stories.

While the constitutional validity of the UP Gangsters Act was challenged in a plea filed in the Supreme Court in December 2022, Yogi Adityanath's strong-arm policy against suspected criminals has garnered support from the central leadership of his party and the public of Uttar Pradesh, as evidenced by election results. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself commended Yogi's law and order tactics, accusing previous governments of protecting the mafia, promoting bahubalis (strongmen), and engaging in illegal land acquisition. In contrast, Yogi's administration embarked on a mission to cleanse the system, imposing heavy fines and employing bulldozers against the mafia.

Yogi Adityanath's fearless crusade against the mafia in Uttar Pradesh has captured the imagination of the people and won the endorsement of his party's leadership. With unwavering determination, he continues to combat organized crime, creating a safer and more secure environment for the citizens of the state.