UP’s special force to have power to arrest sans warrant

LUCKNOW: The state government has rolled out a blueprint of UP Special Security Force (UPSSF) to protect key establishments, besides providing security cover to the VIPs. It will work on the pattern of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
The force will be given special powers and its members would be able to make arrests or search without a warrant issued by a magistrate. The government may frame rules through an ordinance to run this force.
Additional chief secretary, home, Awanish Awasthi, said the government has asked DGP HC Awasthy to prepare a detailed plan in this regard. The development comes after the Allahabad high court directed the state government to constitute a specialised force to protect civil courts, upcoming airports, Metro rails besides providing security to VIPs and VVIPs.
Awasthi said the security force may be provided to the banks, too, if required. The force will remain under the jurisdiction of UP DGP and led by an additional director general- rank officer.
As per the plan, the government will recruit 9,919 security personnel in five battalions of the special force. An estimated Rs 1,747 crore is expected to be spent per year on these battalions. Awasthi said in the first phase, the government will take the help of PAC in putting in place the requisite infrastructure and manpower. Initially, PAC jawans will be inducted while the special force will be constituted over the next one year.