UP set to get special force that can arrest a suspect without warrant if ‘sure about crime’

Yogi govt issues notification for the special force that will be responsible for security of important govt buildings, offices & industrial establishments. Private firms can also hire services.

Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government Sunday issued a notification for the formation of the Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (UPSSF), which will not require warrants for an arrest or to conduct searches as long as it is “sure about the crime”.

The special force will be responsible for the security of important government buildings, offices and industrial establishments in the state, while private companies can also hire its services.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on 26 June announced the formation of the force, which the state cabinet passed.

“The UPSSF has got the nod from DGP of the state. This force will be deployed at places like metro rail, airports, industrial institutions, courts, religious places, banks and other financial institutions,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Avaneesh Awasthi said. “The headquarters of the UPSSF will be in Lucknow and an ADG-level officer will head the force. Initially, five battalions of UPSSF will be formed.”

Force to cost around Rs 1,800 crore

Awasthi said as many as 9,919 personnel will deployed with the force within three months in the first phase, following which 1,913 posts will be created later.

According to the UP government, raising the five battalions will initially cost Rs 1747.06 crore. The force is being constituted on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The proposal for the constitution of a special force came on the directions of the Allahabad High Court after incidents of violence were reported on the premises of courts in December last year.

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