New Delhi: Tensions are high in Uttar Pradesh following the death of 25-year-old Mangesh Yadav, who was killed by the state’s Special Task Force in what is being criticized as a fake encounter. The incident has ignited accusations of caste discrimination and targeted violence by the police, intensifying scrutiny of law enforcement practices in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, opposition parties have accused the Uttar Pradesh police of selectively targeting individuals from the Yadav and Muslim communities. Mangesh Yadav was reportedly detained by police on September 3 and held for two days before being fatally shot. His family contends that he was killed in cold blood, and the police’s claim of an encounter is fabricated.
The police maintain that Yadav was implicated in a dacoity case and assert that he was shot in self-defense during the encounter. However, opposition members argue that the treatment of other suspects in the same case, who belong to more dominant caste groups, starkly contrasts with Yadav’s treatment; these individuals were either allowed to surrender or received non-lethal injuries.
This case has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice, with the Samajwadi Party demanding stringent action against the officers involved. The party has also criticized the BJP-led government, alleging a pattern of systemic bias against specific communities within the state. The incident has raised significant concerns about the fairness and integrity of police operations in Uttar Pradesh.