After Chitrakoot fiasco,Mayawati wants police modernisation

The CM has also ordered Siddhu and Additional Director General (Law and Order) Brij Lal to inspect the site of encounter and submit a report within a week. Both officials have been asked to analyse the strategy of the police force during the entire operation as well.

Lal and another government official will also be members of the committee. Mayawati has asked for the process of purchasing arms to be started immediately after receiving the recommendations of the committee.

According to an Information Department release,the Chief Minister said the police requires modern gadgets and arms but it can only be made available with help from the Centre,which is not cooperating on the matter. The CM said that under the Police Modernisation Scheme,the Centre had released a financial grant of Rs 248 crore in 2000-01,which was reduced to Rs 142 crore in 2008-09. The state Government has demanded Rs 555 crore from the Central Government for purchase of modern arms and gadgets. However,the Centre has not provided it yet,the release added.

Mayawati has also directed that Rs 10 lakh each be given to the families of the four policemen killed in the Chitrakoot operation.