The CM was speaking at a Prabudh Jan Sammelan (meeting of intellectuals) at Prayagraj on Thursday along with both deputy CMs — Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. Later in the day, the CM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 284 projects worth Rs 1,295 crore.
“Any mafia who tries to occupy or snatch land and properties of the common man, including traders, businessmen or others, would be strictly dealt with. Not only will we free the land illegally occupied by them but the properties of mafia would be attached and demolished as part of the state government’s policy of zero tolerance against crime,” he said.
He added that criminals who till now had acted as barriers in implementation of development projects and initiatives of the state government are living in fear of action against them. He said they have by now seen how the government is attaching properties of criminals and then demolishing them and using the land for construction of houses for the poor.
He said that Prayagraj had been improved in a comprehensive manner in the run-up to Kumbh-2019 andwould be transformed again into ‘New Prayagraj’ for Maha Kumbh-2025. He added that honouring public senti-ments, the government had changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj just before in October 2018, just beforethe Kumbh. The CM also distributed certificates, cheques and keys of houses to 20 beneficiaries.