The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a major crackdown on extortion activities targeting truck drivers in the Narhi area along the Bihar border. This move has unveiled the vast scale of the illegal operation, with authorities estimating that approximately 1,000 vehicles cross the border each night, underscoring the extensive reach and impact of the extortion activities.
In a decisive response, the Uttar Pradesh government has transferred the Ballia Superintendent of Police (SP) Dev Ranjan Verma and Additional SP Durga Prasad Tiwari, placing them on a waiting list. Deputy SP, Sadar Shubh Soochit, has been suspended. This crackdown followed a raid conducted on July 25, which resulted in the arrest of 18 individuals, including two police personnel, and the suspension of two others.
The government’s statement highlighted that a vigilance inquiry into the properties of Deputy SP Sadar, the Narhi police station SHO, and the police outpost in-charge has been initiated. The investigation revealed the illegal collection of money from vehicles by police personnel on the Bihar border. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy regarding this issue.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Azamgarh zone) Vaibhav Krishna informed reporters that several complaints of extortion by policemen along the border were received by Additional Director General of Police (Varanasi zone) Piyush Mordia. During the raid, two policemen involved in the extortion were apprehended while three others managed to escape. Additionally, 16 middlemen were taken into custody.
DIG Krishna explained that the extortion gang collected Rs 500 from each vehicle. With an estimated 1,000 vehicles crossing the border each night, the extent of the illegal operation is significant.
The crackdown on extortion at the Bihar border reflects the Uttar Pradesh government’s commitment to addressing corruption and illegal activities within its jurisdiction. The swift actions taken against senior police officials and the ongoing vigilance inquiry demonstrate a strong stance against such unlawful practices, aiming to restore law and order in the region.
