UP starts drive to check growing crime at public places

Bareilly, Aug 16 (UNI) A day after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati highlighted 'rule of law' as the top most priority of her government, a special drive was today initiated to regulate criminal activities at public places.

Inspector General of Police (Bareilly Zone) Gurbachan Lal told UNI here the drive had been started in all the districts of the state on the directions of UP Director General of Police Vikram Singh.

The move aims checking growing crime at public places like main crossings, pan-shops and other street shops.

Taking into consideration the growing eve-teasing, traffic-snags, loot and threatening incidents by some gangs at public places, the police has come into action and started the drive, scheduled to continue till December 7, 2007.

Such places have been identified and people are also encouraged to provide related information by dialing 100. The identity of the caller will be kept secret, Mr Lal added.

Police force had been deployed at the identified places, besides, checking of suspicious vehicles would be done on daily basis.

The IG said police patrolling and picket duty would be intensified to check eve teasing and display of weapons by some people.

Strict action would be taken against the land mafia involved in encroachment.

''The inspection of the drive at district level would be done by respective zonal IGs and range DIGs on daily basis,'' Mr Lal said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has convened a meeting of senior police officials tomorrow to review the progress of action against land mafias and crime syndicates.

UNI