Mayawati backtracks on security force for statues, memorials

In a surprising move, UP chief minister Mayawati has withdrawn the ordinance and the draft bill for the special force to guard statues and memorials.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting here after governor BL Joshi reportedly made it clear that he would neither sign the draft ordinance, nor approve the bill.

The government has now decided to entrust the security of parks and memorials to home guards. A special force of armed home guards will be created for this purpose.

The draft bill had been sent for the governor’s assent in February this year after being passed by both houses of the state legislature. The ordinance met a similar fate when it was sent to Raj Bhavan.

In April, the state government decided to set up a special force, comprising ex-armymen, to guard the parks and memorials.

An official spokesman said on Friday that since tourists visiting the parks and memorials comprised mainly of women and children and women security personnel were not available for the proposed force, it was impractical to set up a force without women.