Lucknow, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over two recent incidents in the state, including the kidnapping of a trader in Jhansi and the arrest of two suspected cattle smugglers following a police encounter in Hapur.
Rajbhar urged Yadav to rein in what he described as his “Ahir” and “Zahir” supporters, using the terms to refer to Yadav and Muslim groups respectively.
In Jhansi, government schoolteacher Ravi Yadav and his associate Vinay Yadav allegedly abducted snacks trader Vikas Kumar Gupta following a minor argument on September 6. Police arrested both accused within seven hours of the incident.
In a separate case, Hapur Police arrested two suspected cattle smugglers, Bilal and Zaheer, after a late-night encounter on September 8. Police said the two are repeat offenders and face around 24 criminal cases across Hapur and neighbouring Amroha districts, including cases related to alleged cow slaughter, theft, Arms Act violations and offences under the Gangster Act.
Police also claimed that the accused confessed to involvement in recent cattle-slaughter incidents in local forests.
Reacting to the incidents, Rajbhar posted on X: “Control your ‘Ahir’ and ‘Zahir’, Maharaj. They’re causing way too much trouble. Not only are they harming society, but they’ll end up finishing you off too.”
He cited the Jhansi kidnapping and Hapur encounter while attacking Yadav and claimed that some criminals were wearing blue outfits resembling the uniform associated with the Rashtriya Suheldev Sena.
Rajbhar challenged Yadav to ensure that such individuals were disciplined and prevented from engaging in criminal activities. He further warned that continued association with alleged criminal elements could hurt the Samajwadi Party’s prospects in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The minister’s remarks come amid heightened political activity in the state ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
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