Mayawati wants special force to guard statues

Lucknow, Jan 20: Even after facing the nation's wrath over her obsession for statues and memorials, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has decided to establish a dedicated security force to protect the statues and memorials.

“The new force will be named State Special Zone Security Force and will be headed by an officer of the rank of inspector general, who will have a superintendent and a few deputy superintendents to assist him," state home secretary Mahesh Gupta told a news agency.

This comes even as the state government faces questions from the Supreme Court over the allocation and utilisation of crores of rupees for these monuments.

Gupta added that the state cabinet has approved the proposal and a bill to that effect would be tabled before the state assembly during its forthcoming session with effect from Thursday, Jan 21.

Once the state assembly passes the legislation, a special drive will be undertaken to recruit about 1000 sepoys.

The force will be guarding Ambedkar Memorials at both Lucknow and Noida, besides the Luckow-based Kanshi Ram Memorial, Kanshi Ram Sanskritik Sthal, Rama Bai Ambedkar Maidan Buddha Vihar and Kanshi Ram Green Eco Garden.

OneIndia News