In a scathing attack on the previous opposition party governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said they were sympathisers of rioters and conspired to dismantle the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) by abolishing 54 of its companies.

Adityanath added that his government has reorganised the disbanded units of the PAC, which played crucial role in handling communal riots and violence in the state,

Inaugurating and laying the foundation of 144 infrastructural development projects worth Rs 2310 crore for the Uttar Pradesh Police at a formal ceremony at Lok Bhawan on Wednesday, the CM stressed on the crucial role of UP Police in the changed perception of the state.

He remarked: “As a result, Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as the biggest investment destination in the country. The state is experiencing prosperity with the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. The contribution of UP Police towards the transformation of UP’s image is crucial. Everyone can feel the hard work of UP Police in the state’s changed perception.”

The Chief Minister announced that a special security force will be formed in UP soon. He also mentioned the establishment of the SDRF, Forensic Lab at the zone range levels and Forensic Institute in UP, adding that the SSF is also in charge of ensuring security at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The CM appreciated the changes in the behavior of UP Police, pointing out that speaking politely while in uniform has a very positive impact. He emphasised the importance of following zero-tolerance policy for anti-social and anti-national elements as well as professional mafias, while adopting a sensitive approach towards common citizens and providing justice to them.

He informed that Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to have cyber police stations in all 75 districts. “Initially, cyber police stations were set up in 18 districts, and the remaining 57 are being inaugurated today. Additionally, a Cyber Cell has been formed at all 1523 police stations. Now, cybercrime cases will be addressed at the police station level, eliminating the need to go to the zone or range levels”, he stated.

The Chief Minister congratulated the Home Department for the projects worth Rs 2310 crore connecting the people of the state and the police personnel. “The work to strengthen the infrastructure of the police force in the new Uttar Pradesh of the new India started in 2017 and is progressing well. Prior to that, outsiders were wary of visiting Uttar Pradesh, while the youths of the state fought shy of revealing their true identity as a resident of the state”, he remarked.

He added that although new districts were formed, the police lines were not established, thus depriving the state police of its soul.

The Chief Minister pointed out that in smaller districts today, the tallest buildings belong to the police force, while earlier, they were forced to live in ramshackle buildings with broken beds. “Until 2017, there were few facilities for the police in the barracks to which they returned after working the whole day or night”, he asserted.

He emphasised that now, every police line of each district, or for that matter every police station, boasts of a hostel, construction of which has either been completed or, is underway, in a high-rise building. He emphasised the importance of fulfilling the needs of police personnel who work 8 to 12 hours, sometimes even 24 hours, serving the people of the state.

He further informed that in the past six years, the government has spent nearly Rs 20,000 crore solely to strengthen the police infrastructure.

Contrasting today’s situation with that of the past in the state, Adityanath said that while riots, curfews, insecure traders and daughters were the order in the previous governments, today Uttar Pradesh was poised to become the state with the strongest economy in the country, having brought investments of over Rs 10.24 lakh crore to the ground.

Continuing his attack on the previous governments, the Chief Minister said recruitments and promotions were given to policemen as a favour and were not merit-based during that time.

“But today, more than 1,60,000 police personnel have been recruited through completely fair and transparent means, ” he said. He also highlighted that promotions were given to over 1.5 lakh police personnel without any discrimination, adding that the government ensured that they were selected from every district while organising skill training programs for them.

“Today we have three times more capacity than what we had till 2017. Within a short time, we will develop additional training capacity in the PAC units in every district. After that, the state will have the capability to provide training to other states and paramilitary forces across the country,” he added.

On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, DGP Prashant Kumar, DG Cyber Crime Subhash Chandra, ADG Dr N Ravindra, along with other senior police officers of the state were present.

In addition to this, public representatives and police officers associated with the programme were present in all 75 districts through virtual medium.

During the programme held at Lok Bhavan, Chief Minister Adityanath inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 144 projects totaling more than Rs 2310 crore. These projects include laying the foundation stone of medical rooms in 21 police stations, two police lines, two PAC corps, two UP STF corps and 35 police stations.

Furthermore, cyber cells were launched in 1523 police stations in 75 districts, cyber crime police stations in 57 districts, anti-corruption organisation police stations in 18 divisional headquarters, anti-corruption organisation units in 8 districts and tourism police stations in Prayagraj and Kushinagar.