[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] Security, Law & Order in UP

1. Issues Related to Security in UP

Trend: Shift from general law and order to “Organized Crime Control,” “Examination Integrity,” and “Women Safety.”

A. Key Security Challenges

• Organized Crime (Mafia Raj): Land Mafia, Education Mafia, Mining Mafia
• Communal Violence: Flashpoints, Sensitive districts

• Festival Management

• Women Safety: Mission Shakti: Moving beyond “Anti-Romeo Squads” to Safe City Projects

B. Legislative & Policy Interventions: The Gangsters Act, UP Control of Organized Crime Act (UPCOCA) (Proposed)

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Anti-Paper Leak Ordinance 2024: Following the police exam leaks, UP promulgated an ordinance proposing Life Imprisonment and ₹1 Crore Fine for organized solver gangs.
• Crime Rate Data (NCRB 2023/24): UP recorded a significant decline in communal riots and crimes against women relative to its population, often cited as the “UP Model” of law and order.

2. Linkage Between Development and Spread of Extremism

Trend: Focus on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the Vindhya region and the “Developmental Approach” to counter it.

A. Left Wing Extremism (LWE/Naxalism) in UP

• Affected Districts: Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli (The tri-junction bordering Bihar, Jharkhand, and MP).
• Causes (Development Deficit): Land Alienation, Lack of Infrastructure, Forest Rights.

B. The Turnaround Strategy

• Security + Development: Fortified Police Stations, Connectivity.
• Social Inclusion: Distribution of Pattas (Land titles) to tribals under the Vantangiya model.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Zero Tolerance Success: In 2025, the MHA removed several UP districts from the “Security Related Expenditure (SRE)” scheme list, signaling the near-total elimination of active LWE influence in the state.
• Tribal Tourism: Promotion of eco-tourism in Sonbhadra (Fossil Park) to provide alternative livelihoods to local youth susceptible to radicalization.

3. Role of External, State & Interstate Actors (Communication Networks)

Trend: “Cyber Radicalization,” “Deepfakes,” and “Cross-Border Propaganda.”

A. External State Actors (ISI/Hostile Nations)

• Indo-Nepal Border: Use of the porous border for pushing Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and drugs (Charas/Heroin).
• Sleeper Cells: Recruitment of youth in distinct pockets (Azamgarh, Deoband) via encrypted apps (Telegram/Signal).

B. Interstate & Non-State Actors: Cyber Gangs, Social Media Challenges, Fake News, Deepfakes.

C. Counter-Measures: Social Media Labs, Fact Check Unit.

 Current Affairs Linkage:

• “Digital Arrest” Scams: In 2025, UP saw a surge in “Digital Arrest” frauds where interstate gangs posed as police/CBI on video calls. UP Police launched a massive awareness campaign against this.
• Project Pratibimb: Use of geo-mapping software to track cybercriminals operating in the Mewat (Mathura/Bharatpur) border region.

4. Basic Rules of Cyber Security, Money Laundering & Prevention

Trend: “Cyber Thanas,” “Financial Intelligence,” and “Asset Seizure.”

A. Cyber Security Infrastructure: Cyber Thanas, Helpline 1930, Training.

B. Money Laundering & Prevention

• Nexus: Linkage between “Education Mafia” and Real Estate investments (Parking illegal money).
• PMLA, Terror Financing

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• Record Recovery: In 2025, UP Police froze over ₹325 Crore of defrauded money using the 1930 helpline, improving the recovery rate from 11% to 24%.
• Cyber Crime Website: Launch of the dedicated portal cyberpolice.uppolice.gov.in in Jan 2025 for seamless reporting.

5. Various Security Forces and Agencies & Their Mandate

Trend: Specific roles of UPSSF, ATS, and STF.

A. State Police Forces: Civil Police, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), UP Police Commissionerate.

B. Specialized Agencies

• UP ATS (Anti-Terror Squad):
  • Mandate: Counter-terrorism, neutralizing sleeper cells, and hostage rescue.
  • New Hub: ATS Commando Center in Deoband (Saharanpur).
• UP STF (Special Task Force): Mandate: Dismantling organized crime syndicates, solving paper leaks, and handling intricate kidnappings.
• UPSSF (UP Special Security Force):
  • Mandate: Created in 2020 to protect courts, airports, metros, and industrial hubs.
  • Power: Empowered to search and arrest without a warrant in security premises.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• UPSSF Deployment: In 2024-25, UPSSF took over the security of the Ayodhya Ram Temple complex and the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar).
• Operation Conviction: STF played a key role in ensuring witness protection, leading to record convictions in 2024.

6. Security Challenges in Border Areas & Linkage of Organized Crime with Terrorism

Trend: “Demographic Change,” “Infiltration,” and “Narcoterrorism.”

A. Indo-Nepal Border Management

• Geography: UP shares a 551 km open border with Nepal (7 districts: Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj).
• Challenges: Infiltration, Demographic Shift, Smuggling.

B. Organized Crime-Terrorism Linkage

• The Nexus: Funding and Logistics.

Current Affairs Linkage:

• Infiltration Alert (2025): Intelligence agencies reported a surge in Bangladeshi infiltrators entering UP via the Nepal route (due to stricter Bangladesh border controls), prompting high alert for the SSB.
• Drone Surveillance: UP Police and SSB initiated joint Drone Mapping of the border districts in 2024 to identify illegal routes and settlements.