UP to set up crime branch cells in 14 districts

Lucknow, May 23 (IANS) Faced with spurt in crimes and growing criticism over the law and order situation in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has cleared a proposal to create special crime branch cells in 14 districts, an official Friday said.

The government has sanctioned Rs.60 crore for the project. The crime branch would be used by the police to crack major cases and gather intelligence.

The districts where these cells will be opened are Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Allahabad, Lucknow, Etawah, Mathura, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida), Bareilly, and Bulandshahr.

"While separate offices will be constructed for the crime branch, budget has been sanctioned for purchase of surveillance gadgets and vehicles. A total of 35 posts are being created for the crime branch," the official told IANS.

In each of the crime branch offices in the 14 districts, two inspectors, eight sub-inspectors and 25 constables will be recruited and the force would be headed by an additional superintendent of police (ASP).