Uttar Pradesh Government Cracks Down on Police Extortion at Bihar Border

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken strict action against police personnel involved in extortion from truck drivers in the Narhi area on the Bihar border. The Ballia superintendent of police and additional SP have been transferred, and the deputy SP, Sadar, has been suspended following an investigation that led to multiple arrests.

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a severe crackdown on police personnel engaged in extortion activities targeting truck drivers in the Narhi area near the Bihar border. On Thursday, the Ballia superintendent of police and additional SP were transferred, while the deputy SP, Sadar, faced suspension.

Authorities conducted a raid in the area earlier in the day, resulting in the arrest of 18 people, including two police officers, and the suspension of two others. A vigilance inquiry has also been ordered to investigate the properties of the deputy SP, the SHO of Narhi police station, and the police outpost in-charge.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's zero-tolerance policy toward such illegal activities has prompted these swift actions. The extortion scheme involved police personnel collecting Rs 500 from each vehicle crossing the border, revealing the widespread nature of the operation. The DIG of Police (Azamgarh zone) disclosed that numerous complaints had been lodged about the extortion racket, leading to the raid and subsequent arrests.

(With inputs from agencies.)