Leaders React To Killing Of UP Gangster Atiq Ahmed While Talking To Media

In a dramatic turn of events, gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead from close range while they were being escorted by the police to a medical college in Prayagraj today. A senior police officer said three people have been arrested. Atiq Ahmad's son was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi just two days ago.

"There must be a thorough probe on murder of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf... Strict action will be taken against the murderers," BJP MP Subrat Pathak told news agency ANI.

"There must be a thorough probe on murder of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf.....strict action will be taken against the murderers": BJP MP Subrat Pathak pic.twitter.com/2YnTAKNzKT

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2023

"When crime reaches its peak... it is the decision of nature," UP minister and BJP leader Suresh Kumar Khanna told ANI.

#WATCH | "When crime reaches its peak...it is the decision of nature...": UP state minister & BJP leader Suresh Kumar Khanna on #AtiqAhmed & his brother Ashraf Ahmed shot dead in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/sZBQqNkhS5

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2023

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the killing and criticised the Yogi Adityanath government over the lack of rule of law.

"Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of criminals is high. When someone can be killed by firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public? Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public; it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere," Mr Yadav tweeted in Hindi.

उप्र में अपराध की पराकाष्ठा हो गयी है और अपराधियों के हौसले बुलंद है। जब पुलिस के सुरक्षा घेरे के बीच सरेआम गोलीबारी करके किसीकी हत्या की जा सकती है तो आम जनता की सुरक्षा का क्या। इससे जनता के बीच भय का वातावरण बन रहा है, ऐसा लगता है कुछ लोग जानबूझकर ऐसा वातावरण बना रहे हैं।

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 15, 2023

"Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogi's big failure of law and order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder," AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted.

Atiq and his brother were killed while in police custody and were handcuffed. Slogans of JSR were also raised. Their murder is a perfect example of Yogi's big failure of law & order. Those celebrating encounter-raj are equally responsible for this murder.

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 15, 2023

UP Minister Swatantra Dev Singh also tweeted:

पाप-पुण्य का हिसाब इसी जन्म में होता है...

— Swatantra Dev Singh (@swatantrabjp) April 15, 2023

Former Jammu and Kashmir top cop Shesh Paul Vaid tweeted the UP Police need to investigate the killings.

"Mafia Don and Gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf killed in an attack in Prayagraj. How deep rooted are their criminal activities that they were brutally shot down while in Police custody and in front of media cameras? Whose criminal secrets were these assailants protecting? Needs serious investigation by UP Police," he said.

Mafia Don and Gangster #AtiqueAhmed and his brother Ashraf killed in an attack in #Prayagraj. How deep rooted are their criminal activities that they were brutally shot down while in Police custody and infront of media cameras? Whose criminal secrets were these assailants...

— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) April 15, 2023

Kapil Sibal tweeted:

Two murders in UP :

1) Atiq Ahmed and brother Ashraf
2) Rule of law

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) April 15, 2023

"Today's incident is a blot on the UP government. Is there a gang war going on? There is no rule of law," Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari said.