UP encounters killings: 50 down and still counting...

Undeterred by allegations of "fake encounters" by the opposition, the Uttar Pradesh Police under Yogi Adityanath's chief ministership has killed 50 dreaded criminals in as many encounters in the past over one year, officials said.

The 50th case of a criminal being shot dead in an encounter, since the BJP government came to power last March, was on May 3 when notorious criminal Rehan, who was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 was gunned down in Muzaffarnagar district, they said.

Rehan, an active member of Mukeen Kala gang, had 15 serious criminal cases against him, police officials said.

In the past one year, as per figures up to March, 50 criminals were killed and another
Defending the government, BJP spokesman Shalabh Mani Tripathi said, "When a criminal opens fire on our force, they are free to retaliate. In Yogi's regime, police has been given a free hand. Due to fear of police, criminals are leaving the state. We are committed to maintain law and order and criminals will not be tolerated."