'Pre-2017 Regimes Bowed to Mafia': CM Yogi on UP's Tech Policing Shift
Delivering an address at the Lok Bhavan auditorium in Lucknow on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered a detailed assessment of the state's internal security evolution. He asserted that before 2017, criminal syndicates held sway across various districts, running parallel power centers while the state apparatus capitulated. The Chief Minister pointed out that when political leadership lacks direction and compromises on governance, law enforcement agencies become paralyzed. He added that while critics make remarks from secure rooms, the absence of public order creates fear, emphasizing that sustainable economic prosperity requires a foundation of citizen security.
Pioneering Landmark Police Reforms and Seven Commissionerates
Recalling the institutional struggle for modernization, the Chief Minister paid tribute to former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Singh, who pursued police reforms through the Supreme Court. Highlighting Uttar Pradesh's implementation of these reforms, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath noted that the state now operates seven functional police commissionerates. At the event, he officially released Prakash Singh's book, "Sangharsh," which compiles lessons from policing complex security environments—including the Terai region during its period of militancy—and provides a reference work for modern administrative leadership.
Modernizing Infrastructure Beyond Legacy Training Deficits
The Chief Minister recalled that prior to 2017, the state was saddled with neglected infrastructure, where training academies accommodated barely 6,000 recruits per year, personnel lived in dilapidated barracks, and key Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) units faced disbandment. Recurring unrest in areas such as Kosi Kalan, Meerut, Aligarh, and Muzaffarnagar led to extended curfews, contributing to economic stagnation. Following administrative restructuring after 2017, police training capacities expanded, modern barracks were constructed, and operational capabilities were systematically upgraded to handle emerging security demands.
Integrating 1.4 Million Surveillance Cameras and Tech-Driven Policing
Addressing the technical modernization of the force, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the role of technology under the Safe City project. Over 1.4 million surveillance cameras have been installed across urban centers and linked to Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC). This digital network facilitates round-the-clock monitoring, crime deterrence, and rapid incident detection. The integration of high-resolution video streams with mobile police response units marks a shift toward data-driven, predictive law enforcement throughout the state.
Honoring Fallen STF Hero Sunil Kumar Singh and Gallantry Awardees
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister honored the memory of the late Special Task Force (STF) Inspector Sunil Kumar Singh, who lost his life in an armed encounter after neutralizing four criminals on January 22, 2025. Noting that the Government of India conferred the Kirti Chakra on the fallen officer—a first for the Uttar Pradesh Police—the Chief Minister presented assistance to his wife and family. The event also saw 16 personnel decorated with the President's Police Medal for Gallantry alongside 10 officers receiving the Chief Minister's Gallantry Medal.
Deploying 87 Interceptors to Cut Highway Fatalities
Addressing traffic safety, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath noted that road accidents in the state claim 23,000 to 24,000 lives annually, a figure rivaling the total losses recorded across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. To enforce highway discipline and curb over-speeding and reckless driving, the Chief Minister flagged off 87 specialized interceptor vehicles equipped with speed radars and digital testing kits. The ceremony was attended by Social Welfare Minister Aseem Arun, former DGP Prakash Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Krishna, Additional Chief S
