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Dalit icons now get special security
Atiq Khan
Mayawati goes ahead with constitution of special force without Governor's nod
Special protection: Monuments like this one dedicated to Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar will now get special security in Uttar Pradesh.
LUCKNOW: Not waiting for the Governor, B.L. Joshi's approval for the
Uttar Pradesh Special Zone Protection Force Bill (SZPF) and the
Ordinance of the same name meant for constituting a force for guarding
the monuments of Dalit icons, the Chief Minister, Mayawati on Friday
decided to constitute a special force of ex-servicemen with immediate
effect.
The SZPF Bill passed by both the Houses of the U.P. Legislature on
February 18 was sent to the Governor for his approval. But with Mr.
Joshi sitting over it, the Mayawati Government sent an Ordinance to
Raj Bhavan on March 26 with some amendments. Still there was no
response from the Governor.
The proposal submitted before the Cabinet on Friday was granted prompt
approval. The recruitment of ex-servicemen would begin from Saturday
with the Principal Secretary (Home) given the authority of completing
the formalities. The Cabinet meeting was presided over by the Chief
Minister.
To be named as Special Zone Protection Force (SZPF), the proposal
envisages the constitution of a battalion, comprising about 1200
security personnel, headed by an ex-army officer of the rank of a
Colonel.
Recruitment process
The recruitment process of ex-servicemen and their service rules would
be the same as applicable elsewhere in the country. About Rs 8 to 9
crore would be spent on constituting the force in the first year and
it is likely to be set up by April-end.
Describing the move as an executive decision of the State Government,
which implied that there was no confrontation with Raj Bhavan on this
issue, the Cabinet Secretary, Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters
here that the Bill and SZPF were two separate issues. Mr. Singh
clarified that there have been no discussion with the Governor on this
issue.
As head of the State it is the Governor's prerogative to take any
decision on the pending Bill and ordinance, the Cabinet Secretary
said. To begin with, the security force would be responsible for the
security of nine sites including memorials, museums, parks, statues
and galleries built to Dalit icons in Lucknow and Noida (Gautam Buddha
Nagar).
In fact, the urgency and reasons given for constituting the special
force of ex-army personnel were interesting. Stating that the
monuments built in the memory of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Kanshi
Ram and other eminent persons were the BSP Government's tribute to
their contribution, Mr. Singh said the security of these sites was a
matter of concern for the government.
There was a fear that these might be vandalised by casteist and
anti-Dalit elements which is why there was a pressing need for
constituting a special security force, the Cabinet Secretary said. He
added that any damage to the monuments would have created a furore in
the country and caused a law and order problem.
"These things were kept in mind before taking the decision to form a
separate force", Mr. Singh added.
Moreover, recruitment from the police would have caused a heavy strain
on the police force and there would have been a shortfall in their
numbers.
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