The Hindu : New Delhi News : Home Guards to man UP courts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
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New Delhi

Home Guards to man UP courts

Special Correspondent

Mayawati announces new security measures

Entry of vehicles to the courts would be restricted
Hearing of terrorists’ to be held in jail premises

LUCKNOW: The Bahujan Samaj Party Government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to deploy around 25,000 trained Home Guards in the Allahabad High Court and its Bench of Judicature in Lucknow, and the district courts. It also decided to hold the hearing of terrorists and dreaded criminals in the jail premises.

Announcing the new security measures in the wake of last week’s terror attack in the civil court premises in Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow, Chief Minister Mayawati said here on Monday that the deployment of trained Home Guards in the courts would be in the form of additional security set-up.

Arrangements would also be made for hearing through video conferencing in the Session courts in the districts by making the necessary amendments to the law. Arrangement of video conferencing would also be made in the jails.

Hearing in the jails and video conferencing would become applicable after permission is granted by the Allahabad High Court.

Ms. Mayawati said that to begin with DFMD, HHMD and reflector mirrors would be installed in the Allahabad High Court premises in Allahabad and its Bench in Lucknow and in the district courts functioning at the 17 divisional headquarters in the State.

She said there was always the possibility of terrorists and hardened criminals facing public anger when taken to courts. Besides, there was also a possibility of the under-trials escaping from custody.

Entry of vehicles and two-wheelers to the courts would be restricted and separate parking space would be earmarked for them. This decision has been taken in the light of the traffic jam outside the court premises caused by the parked vehicles.

Ms. Mayawati said she had written a letter to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court in this regard and cooperation of the Bar Associations would also be sought. “Their reply is awaited,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister said she had also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil seeking the return of 13 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) deployed in Delhi on the instructions of the Union Government. She stated that additional force was needed to strengthen security measures in the State.

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