The Uttar Pradesh government has highlighted its action against organised crime under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing property seizures worth Rs.15,233 crore under the Gangsters Act since March 2017.

The figures form part of the state’s wider campaign against criminal networks and assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities. The government has also highlighted housing projects developed on land reclaimed from illegal occupation, with 148 families receiving homes across two projects.

The reported figures reflect the administration’s stated approach of targeting both criminal networks and the financial resources associated with them.

Rs.15,233 crore in assets seized under Gangsters Act

According to figures reported by the state government, action under the Gangsters Act has been taken against tens of thousands of people since March 20, 2017. The value of seized movable and immovable assets linked to illegal activities has been reported at more than Rs.15,233 crore.

The government has also reported action against identified mafia figures and their associates. Such measures form part of its broader efforts to target organised criminal networks in Uttar Pradesh.

These figures are government-reported statistics and should be attributed to the authorities rather than presented as an independently verified assessment of the state’s overall crime situation.

Housing projects on reclaimed land

The administration has also pointed to housing initiatives using land freed from illegal occupation. According to reports on these projects, 148 families received homes through developments in Lukerganj, Prayagraj, and Dalibagh, Lucknow.

The projects have been presented as an effort to put reclaimed land to public use, including providing housing to economically weaker families.

Yogi government’s anti-gangster approach

The action against criminal assets is part of the Yogi Adityanath government’s broader law-and-order strategy. The administration has repeatedly emphasised action against organised crime, the seizure of assets linked to criminal activity and measures intended to strengthen policing.

The reported seizure figures and housing initiatives illustrate the government’s stated emphasis on pursuing criminal assets alongside action against individuals and gangs.

The Union Territory of Ladakh will hold elections to all Panchayat Halqas on November 21, with the State Election Commission scheduling the entire electoral process to be completed by November 30.

The announcement, made by the State Election Commission on Wednesday, October 21, comes eight years after the last panchayat elections in the region, which were held in November 2018.

According to the announced schedule, the election notification will be issued by the Administrator and the State Election Commission on October 26. Candidates will be able to file their nomination papers until November 2, while scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for November 3.

The deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations is November 5, ahead of polling on November 21. The complete election process is scheduled to conclude by November 30.

Model code of conduct comes into force

The Model Code of Conduct for candidates and political parties participating in the panchayat elections has come into force with immediate effect.

The commission has directed all concerned to comply with the code and subsequent instructions issued for the elections. The rules are intended to regulate campaign activities and ensure that the electoral process is conducted in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

The code includes restrictions on the use of places of worship for election propaganda and the use of public or private property for putting up campaign posters without written permission. It also directs public servants to maintain impartiality and refrain from campaigning for or against any candidate or political party.

Ladakh’s previous panchayat elections were held in 2018

The previous general elections to Panchayat Halqas in Ladakh took place in November 2018, when the region was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ladakh became a separate Union Territory in 2019 following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state. The upcoming polls will provide an opportunity to elect representatives to local panchayat bodies across the region.

The election schedule also comes amid wider administrative changes in Ladakh, including the restructuring of its district-level governance and the expansion of the proposed autonomous hill council structure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand on October 24 and 25. His proposed two-day itinerary includes development-related engagements in Varanasi and a review of infrastructure work at the Kedarnath Corridor.

In Varanasi, the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate a factory in the Sevapuri area and attend programmes related to the city’s development. The visit will also coincide with an Indian Air Force aerial display at Namo Ghat, where he is expected to attend the event on October 25.

PM Modi likely to attend Varanasi air show

The Indian Air Force’s aerial display, titled Wings Over Ganges, is scheduled over the Ganga at Namo Ghat on October 22, 24 and 25.

The event is expected to feature Rafale, Sukhoi and Tejas fighter aircraft, along with performances by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team and the Sarang helicopter display team.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to attend the air show. Officials have been preparing for the event, with security and crowd management among the key considerations because of the anticipated gathering.

Kedarnath Corridor project review on October 25

Modi is also expected to travel to Kedarnath on October 25 to assess progress on the Kedarnath Corridor development project.

The review is expected to cover ongoing infrastructure projects and efforts to improve facilities in and around the Himalayan pilgrimage centre.

The proposed visit brings together public and development-related engagements in Varanasi with an assessment of infrastructure work at Kedarnath.