3 min readLucknowUpdated: Dec 28, 2025 11:10 AM IST
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses during the inaugural program of the two-day 'Police Manthan' Senior Police Officers Conference-2025 at the police headquarters, in Lucknow on Saturday. (@myogiadityanath/ANI Photo)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday directed top police officials to post station house officers (SHO) strictly on the basis of merit and keep political interference to a bare minimum.
Speaking during the session ‘Police Station Management and Upgradation’ on the first day of the two-day conference of senior police officers, Adityanath said, “The posting of station house officers should be done strictly on the basis of merit and political interference must be kept to a minimum. Any unwarranted pressure should be rejected outright. Police station management is the backbone of the policing system.”
“Security arrangements should be provided strictly as per actual requirement, and not as a status symbol,” he added.
The chief minister insisted upon the overall behaviour of the police personnel saying, “Improvement in police behaviour is a central issue as complaints persist in routine policing. Hence, regular counselling, effective monitoring of the beat system, and linking it with the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) to ensure accountability are essential. Therefore, improvement in both the working style and response time of the police, along with courteous behaviour is necessary to change public perception.”
He also directed the officers to strengthen the village-level security mechanism by integrating village-level chowkidars (watchmen) with the police beat system while deploying them at the Gram Panchayat level. He said that village chowkidars are well acquainted with the social structure of their villages, and their active participation can ensure crime prevention, timely collection of information, and prompt action.
He also stressed the need for utmost sensitivity and thorough investigation in cases such as dowry harassment so that victims do not have to suffer unnecessary hardship.
Thanking the chief minister for his guidance, Director General of Police Rajiv Krishna said his presence underscores the leadership’s commitment to policing challenges.
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First day’s sessions were based on topics as “Beat Policing & ‘Yaksh’ App led by ADG (Crime) S.K. Bhagat, ‘Women and Child Safety’ by ADG Padmaja Chauhan and ‘Bahu-Beti Sammelan’ initiative by ADG (Gorakhpur Zone) Ashok Mutha Jain, ‘Smart Station Management’ by DG (Lucknow Zone) Sujit Pandey, ‘Cyber Crime’ by DG (Cyber Crime) Binod Kumar Singh, ‘HRD and Welfare’ by DG (Training) Rajiv Sabharwal, ‘Prosecution and Prisons’ by DG (Prosecution) Dipesh Juneja and ‘CCTNS 2.0 & New Laws’ by ADG (Technical Services) Naveen Arora.
Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution.
Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.
Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More
