Several posts lying vacant in ATS and intelligence in UP

Lucknow, Nov 28 (UNI) Even as the inadequacy of intelligence mechanism once again came to fore after the Mumbai attacks, Uttar Pradesh remains one of the most ill-equipped state in this regard, official figures suggest.

Several posts in the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) and intelligence department are lying vacant in UP and that too when Chief Minister Mayawati had announced the creation of the ATS after taking charge of the state last year.

She had announced to strengthen the intelligence mainly to counter terrorism in the state.

UP, which has seen some of the worst terrorist attacks in the recent past, has yet to wake up as the ATS and intelligence posts are waiting to be filled up. The well-equipped intelligence department is the need of the hour, but the deliverance is difficult in such a situation, according to experts.

Of 66 Indian Police Service (IPS) posts lying vacant due to paucity of officers, one post of Inspector General (IG) and DIG in the ATS, one of SP at intelligence headquarters and four posts of four SP (Regional Intelligence) of Kanpur, Meerut, Varanasi and Agra are awaiting officers.

The IG, Lucknow Zone, A K Jain and DIG, PAC, Rajiv Krishna are holding the additional charge in the ATS notwithstanding the fact that it requires full time IG and DIG.

Ms Mayawati had set up prime agencies like the ATS, Special Investigation Team (SIT), created new posts to expedite jail reforms and increased the number of officers in the Special Task Force (STF), but most of the posts mentioned are without officers leaving little scope for this mechanism to realise the Chief Minister's dreams to crime-free UP.

Besides, all four posts of ADG, IG, DIG and SP in the SIT along with the post of ADG (Organised Crime&Other Crimes) are also without officers.

A government spokesman, when contacted by UNI, admitted that the dearth of officers had really put the law and order machinery under tremendous pressure.

''We will have to take a fresh look at this, especially in wake of the Mumbai attacks and the further threat looming large over the state and elsewhere,'' he said.

UNI SB MB ATI PK HT1555