In a pre-dawn operation, Anuj Pratap Singh, an accused in the Sultanpur jewellery store robbery case, was shot dead by the Uttar Pradesh police’s special task force (STF) in Unnao district early on Monday. This incident comes after a similar encounter on September 5, where another accused, Mangesh Yadav, was also gunned down by the STF. The SP chief, Akhilesh Yadav, accused the STF of carrying out caste-based encounters in BJP-ruled states and termed it “Special Thakur Force.”
Anuj Pratap Singh’s father expressed his disappointment, calling his son a victim of politics. The police officials stated that the encounter took place in the Achalganj police station area, with Anuj sustaining injuries and later succumbing to them in the hospital. Anuj, along with Mangesh Yadav, was involved in a high-profile robbery in Sultanpur, leading to their encounter.
Despite the allegations of bias, the UP police defended their actions as impartial and evidence-based. The controversy surrounding these encounters has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the integrity of the STF under the BJP government. Overall, the encounter of Anuj Pratap Singh adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing law and order issues in Uttar Pradesh.
Source link