Amit Shah in Lucknow: Under Yogi govt, goons no longer rule; fir to verdict within 3 years

LUCKNOW: In address to 60,244 newly appointed police constables at the Defence Expo Ground in Vrindavan Yojna area of Lucknow, Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has shed its legacy of lawlessness and entered an era of law and order.Speaking at what he termed a “historic ceremony” for Uttar Pradesh Police, Shah said, “Goons no longer dictate terms in the state. The rule of law has been established. It is now our mission that within the next five years, we will create a system where an FIR is followed by a verdict from the Supreme Court within three years.”Shah, flanked by CM Yogi Adityanath, Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary, handed over appointment letters to 15 recruits, while thousands of others received theirs at the venue.

The recruits, 60,244 in total, were brought to Lucknow in over 1,300 buses from all corners of the state.The Home Minister highlighted the transparency of the recruitment process. “No bribes, no recommendations, no caste-based favoritism — each of you was selected purely on merit from 48 lakh applications,” he declared, addressing the recruits directly.He also lauded the state’s decision to reserve 20% of posts for women, noting that over 12,000 of the recruits were female.

“When I met some of the young women today, their confidence and determination were written all over their faces,” he said.Shah said that Uttar Pradesh now boasts the largest police force in India and is being equipped with modern infrastructure, including command and control centers, PCR vans, surveillance units, and AI-based policing tools. He urged the new recruits to uphold the three tenets of modern policing: security, service, and sensitivity.Referring to the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said the country is progressing toward becoming the third-largest economy by 2027. “Under Modi’s leadership, we have already risen from the 11th to the 4th position. And by 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of independence, India will be number one globally — and UP will be a key contributor to that journey.”The Home Minister also reiterated the Centre’s resolve to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

“Where there were once 11 Naxal-affected states, today it's down to just three districts,” he said.Addressing issues of national security, Shah pointed to surgical strikes and counter-terror operations carried out under Modi’s leadership. “The world now knows that Indian blood cannot be spilled without consequence,” he said.He concluded by invoking the spirit of national duty: “You are not just joining the police force — you are becoming guardians of India’s progress, discipline, and justice. Let your service be guided by justice and integrity.”