Police under the Yogi govt, in the last 9 years, neutralised 289 dreaded criminals in encounters and arrested 34,253 criminals

Encounter action continues under the Yogi govt’s zero-tolerance policy

97 criminals neutralised in Meerut, highest in the state

Varanasi Zone ranks second and Agra Zone ranks third in encounter action

Lucknow, May 2026 : Under its zero-tolerance policy, the Yogi government has carried out continuous action against crime and criminals in the state over the last nine years, during which 289 dreaded criminals were neutralised in police encounters. During this period, the police conducted a total of 17,043 encounter operations in which 34,253 criminals were arrested. A total of 11,834 criminals were injured in these encounter actions. At the same time, while fighting criminals, 18 policemen were martyred and 1,852 police personnel were injured.

The highest number of encounters were recorded in Meerut Zone, where police carried out 4,813 operations. In these actions, 8,921 criminals were arrested while 3,513 criminals were injured. At the same time, 97 notorious criminals were killed on the spot.

During encounter operations in Meerut Zone, 477 policemen were injured while two policemen were martyred while performing their duties. Meerut Zone ranked first in the entire state in encounter action.

Similarly, 1,292 encounters took place in Varanasi Zone, in which 2,426 criminals were arrested while 29 criminals were neutralised in encounters. During this period, 907 criminals and 104 policemen were injured. Varanasi Zone ranks second in the state in encounter action.

Agra Zone ranks third in the entire state in encounter operations. Here, 2,494 encounter operations were carried out in which 5,845 criminals were arrested. During this period, 968 criminals were injured while 24 criminals were neutralised. A total of 62 policemen were injured during the encounters.

According to encounter figures, 21 dreaded criminals were killed during 2,222 encounters in Bareilly Zone, while 20 criminals were killed during 971 encounters in Lucknow Zone. In Ghaziabad Commissionerate, 18 criminals were killed in 789 encounters, the highest among all Commissionerate.
In Kanpur Zone, 12 criminals were killed in 791 encounters, while 12 criminals were killed in 147 encounters in Lucknow Commissionerate and 11 criminals were killed in 643 encounters in Prayagraj Zone.

Similarly, 10 criminals were neutralised in 489 encounters in Agra Commissionerate, 9 in 1,144 encounters in Gautam Buddha Nagar, 8 in 699 encounters in Gorakhpur Zone, 8 in 146 encounters in Varanasi Commissionerate, 6 in 150 encounters in Prayagraj Commissionerate and 4 criminals were neutralised in 253 encounters in Kanpur Commissionerate.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, UP Police has implemented the zero-tolerance policy on the ground over the last 9 years. This has increased fear among criminals and strengthened the feeling of security among the general public. This is the reason why the state’s law and order is being appreciated at the national level.

Under the Yogi government’s zero-tolerance policy, the police launched strict action against organised crime, mafia networks and illegal extortion.

Along with encounters, provisions related to property attachment, action under the Gangster Act and laws like the NSA were implemented effectively. Under the Yogi government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy in Uttar Pradesh, this nine-year campaign against criminals has not only reflected in figures but has also succeeded in establishing the rule of law on the ground.

The police’s swift, strict and courageous action has forced criminals to leave the state, and Uttar Pradesh is further strengthening its identity as a fear-free and safe state.