UP might soon have the UPCOCA to fight organized crime
The Yogi Adityanath government is upping its fight against organized crime. According to reports, it is considering passing the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act - UPCOCA - on the lines of Maharashtra's MCOCA. The government is expected to introduce a bill in the matter, which was first attempted by former CM Mayawati, and get it passed in both houses.
Reports of organized crime in UP go as far back as 1996. Records show how then CM Kalyan Singh was apparently shocked to learn that mafia dons controlled government assets worth about Rs. 10,000cr. In 2007, Mayawati introduced the UPCOCA and sent it for presidential assent. But it was denied on the grounds that Maharashtra and Gujarat had allegedly used it against minorities.
Now the bill is set to return after almost a decade. The fact that Adityanath belongs to the crime hotbed of Gorakhpur is believed to have played some role. This time, the government will seek consent only after getting it passed by both Houses. "Some more stringent provisions might be added to the Act," a senior IPS officer said.
"We will make 1.5L appointments in police in three years. This will include recruitment of 30,000 constables and 3,200 sub inspectors this year," Adityanath had said. Despite the new government's strict approach towards crime, cases of dacoity and murder rose from January to April. However, according to UP ADGP, since illegal mining was banned, instances of organized crime have also reduced.
