Governor Ram Naik called upon the men in khaki to brace themselves for the coming Assembly polls in the State as they played an important role in ensuring a peaceful environ and smooth conduct of the process.
“The UP Police has played an excellent role in maintaining law and order in the State. But you all should now pull up your socks as your role is very important to ensure peaceful and smooth elections,” asserted Naik while praising the men in uniform.
Addressing a gathering after inspecting the ceremonial parade at lucknow Reserve Police line at the inaugural function of Police Week on Friday morning, Naik paid homage to those bravehearts who lay down their lives in the line of duty.
“You all should work with honesty and devotion and leave the Government to take care of you and the welfare of your family members,” he asserted. Naik said that the cops played a key role in ensuring peaceful celebration of festivals along with maintaining law and order during VVIP visits.
The Governor further exhorted the cops for ensuring better dialogue with the people as it would not just help them in maintaining order but also help in refurbishing their friendly image. “The image of the cops must be such that people were not afraid do come to you and lodge their complaint or seek your help in overcoming their poblems,” Naik pointed out.
He said that cops must act tough against the criminals and anti-social elements withouht paying anying any heed yo the status or clout enjoyed by the goon or the accused.
The Governor also hailed the role of women in UP Police and said that women were coming forward in all fields and a shining example was that a woman officer (SSP lucknow Manzil Saini) was leading the ceremonial parade at Friday's function. He also praised the Government for taking various measures for the welfare of the cops, modernising the UP Police and facilitating latest technology for upgradation of the largest force of the country.
Naik also felicitated cops with Presidents Medals for gallantry and distinguished services. The officers feted for Gallantry included Vijay Singh Meena (IG), Jogendra Kumar (SP), Rahul Srivastava (Additional SP), SKS Pratap (Dy SP), Bind Kumar (Inspector), Shashi Bhushan Rai (Inspector), Ashok Kumar Singh (Head constable) and Vishist Singh Yadav (retired Inspector).
Besides, officers who were given Presidents Medal for Distinguished Services included Vijay Kumar Maurya (ADG), MK Bashal (ADG), Tanuja Srivastava (ADG), Tilottama Verma (ADG), Sanjay Singhal (IG), Satyendra Veer Singh (Retd DIG), Vinod Kumar Yadav (retd Dy SP), and Hari Om Sharma (sub-inspector ministerial).
Earlier, SSP lucknow Manzil Saini became the first woman officer to lead the ceremonial police parade comprising 18 contigents. The marcers included commandoes of Provincial Armed Constabulary, Mahila police, Traffic police, Mounted police etc.
Besides Governor Ram Naik, the function was also attended by DGP Javeed Ahmed, Principal Secretary Devashish Panda and other senior officers.