CM Yogi Adityanath Highlights Police Reforms and Crime Control in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, October 21 (Daily Kiran) : In a recent address at the Police Memorial Day parade in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reflected on the past challenges faced by law enforcement in Uttar Pradesh. He recalled a time when police officers hesitated to act against criminals due to political interference. “As soon as a criminal was touched, calls would flood in from the corridors of power, often leading to action against the police instead,” he stated.

Adityanath emphasized the significant changes implemented since 2017, when his government adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and dismantled political shackles on the police. “Today, every criminal knows their last refuge in Uttar Pradesh,” he asserted.

During the ceremony, which honored fallen police officers, the Chief Minister announced increases in benefits for police personnel. He raised the motorcycle allowance for field inspectors from ₹700 to ₹1,000 per month and increased the uniform allowance for PPS officers from ₹6,400 to ₹15,000. Additionally, the SIM allowance for constables on field duty was raised from ₹2,000 to ₹2,500.

He also highlighted the establishment of cashless health cards for police officers and their families, totaling five lakh cards issued. Adityanath noted the troubling history of communal violence in the state, referencing 815 riots that occurred between 2012 and 2017, which severely impacted the livelihoods of the poor.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the police have seized over ₹15,000 crore worth of illegal assets from criminals. He announced plans for housing developments on land recovered from criminal control, including a groundbreaking ceremony for 602 homes in Prayagraj.

Adityanath criticized the opposition for questioning police actions and emphasized that their concerns come from a place of insensitivity towards victims of crime. He mentioned that over 226,000 police personnel have been recruited since he took office, with an additional 35,000 positions in the final stages of hiring. The number of female police officers has also increased significantly.

He concluded by commemorating the sacrifices of police personnel, mentioning that 154 officers nationwide lost their lives in the line of duty in the past year, including several from Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath reiterated his commitment to police reforms and the ongoing battle against crime, stating that the state has transformed from a place of unrest to one of celebration.