Special force in UP to protect monuments

The State Government on Thursday decided to raise a special force for the protection of the monuments and parks erected in Lucknow and NOIDA.

The new force will be called State Special Zone Security Force. The area in which the monuments are located in Lucknow as well as at Gautam Buddha Nagar (NOIDA) have been declared special zone by the state government.

The monuments located in Lucknow including Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajaik Parivartan Sthal, Ambedkar Vihar, Samajik Parivartan Pratik Sthal, Kanshiram Smarak Sthal, 13 Mall Avenue, Kanshiram Green (Eco) Garden, Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, Buddha Vihar Shanti Upvan and Smriti Upvan. While Gutam Buddha Samata Moolak Sthal is located in Gautam Buddha Nagar (NOIDA) will be under the security of the special force.

The parliamentary affair minister Lalji Verma tabled the State Special Zone Security Force Bill, 2010 in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday.,

There will be separate recruitment to various posts of subordinate officers, under officers and members of the force. The members of the force of a rank lower than that of an under officer will be called Rakshak. There will be direct recruitment of the Rakshaks.

The supervisory officers of the force including Director Security, Deputy Director Security and Assistant Director Security will be drawn from Indian Police Service or Provincial Police Service.

The Director General of Police, UP will be the Director General of the force and the appointment of the members of the force will vest with the Director General. The members enrolled in the force will receive an appointment certificate from the Director General.

The force has been given wide power equivalent to the state civil police that include power to arrest without warrant. If a person restrain or assault a member of the force in discharge of duty or commits cognizable offence related with the property located in special zone could be arrested. Even trespassers on the premises of the special zone would be dealt with harsh punishment.

The supervisory officer of the force will have power to search and seizure without warrant. After taking a person into custody the member of the force will hand him over to the civil police or take him to the nearest police station.

The state government had restrained the member of the force from joining any trade union, labour union or political party. The Act also lays down the service conditions and responsibilities of the force.

If a member of the force as suspended he will not cease to be a member of the force. During the period of suspension he will be subject to same responsibilities, discipline and penalties to which he had been subject if on duty. On ceasing to be member of the force he would have to surrender the certificate of appointment, arms, accoutrements, clothing and other articles furnished to him for impartment of duties.