Rs 309cr doled out to modernise UP Police

Lucknow: Stressing need to modernise the force, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announced Rs 309 crore for UP police. At the Police Commemoration Day (known as Smriti Divas) function at Mahanagar police lines Tuesday morning Yadav paid tributes to policemen who laid down their lives for duty.
The CM made several other announcements during the function that is held on October 21 every year.At zone level five more laboratories will be set up to augment forensic science infrastructure. Accommodation of female cops is also a big problem and government assured to construct dedicated barracks for women personnel across 320 police stations.
Besides Yadav, men in uniform also paid homage to deceased police personnel. In a period of one year 126 police personnel died on duty. The parade was led by commandant of PAC IXth battalion Kalanidhi Naithhani instead of SSP Praveen Kumar.
The government increased financial assistance earmarked for kin of martyred policemen from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Yadav highlighted the need to tackle crime against women seriously. After the parade chief minister paid tribute to the statue installed at the police lines. Yadav said government steps shall be taken to curb financial and internet crimes which have been on the rise in the past few years.
Khaki blues
Role model: When everyone else was mourning the departed souls, Harihar Singh (85) did not know how to react—chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and other senior government officials were facing a statue for which Singh had modeled. The former company commander says, “I have trained 23 IPS officers and hundreds of PPS officers. Now I train my grandson on duties and responsibilities towards the nation. I feel humbled and bless those who died fighting criminals.” Singh’s statue was installed at Mahanagar police lines in 1982.
Wishlist: Tanu a widow in early 20s could not hold back tears. Tragedy hit Tanu within four months of marriage, last year. Her husband Vikram Pratap was escorting two prisoners to Lakhimpur-Kheri court and they managed to escape. When Vikram tried to overpower one of them he was shot. Tanu said she would be happy if a road could be named after Vikram. Similarly, Raj Kumari the widow of Subhash Chandra said “I hope my elder son can get job in the police department on humanitarian grounds soon.” Chandra was shot at in Baghpat in July when he signaled bike-borne criminals to stop.