LUCKNOW, Oct. 25 -- Although encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh have sparked debates and raised questions about the efficacy of such measures in controlling crime, the state police gunned down 41 criminals in encounters in the first 10 months of this year thereby already touching the 2018 mark-the highest since 2017- with two months still left before 2025 bids adieu. With this, the number of encounter killings has risen to 258 between March 2017 (when the Yogi government came to power in the state) and October 24, 2025. In the latest incident, a wanted criminal Mohd Faisal carrying a reward of Rs.1 lakh was shot dead during an encounter with police in Bhogi Majra village under Jhinjhana police station of Shamli late on Thursday night. The slain accused was wanted in 17 serious criminal cases, including murder and robbery. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been vocal about his stance against crime, emphasising that criminals will be dealt with firmly. The UP Police's aggressive stance has led to significant action against criminals. Since 2017, over 15,000 police encounters have taken place, resulting in the arrest of thousands of criminals. Properties worth Rs 14,467 crore have been confiscated and action has been taken against 68 mafia and over 2,000 of their aides. The state government has also been focusing on securing convictions and harsh sentencing for serious crimes. Under "Operation Conviction", 69 criminals have been sentenced to death, while 8,501 received life imprisonment. According to the DGP, Rajeev Krishna, the police department is committed to maintaining law and order. "We have been following a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and disorder. The UP Police is also focused on ensuring a safe atmosphere for women and girls. Mission Shakti Kendra in every PS is aimed at achieving this goal," he said. "We will continue to take strict action against criminals and ensure that our state remains safe and secure," the DGP added....