Yogi Adityanath lauds PAC for smooth conduct of Gujarat polls, accorded Guard of Honour at PAC event

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday lauded the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) for its role in the effective conduct of Gujarat Assembly elections. He was addressing the PAC Day celebrations held at the 35th PAC battalion. [caption id=“attachment_4262989” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Yogi Adityanath. PTI[/caption] “The different challenging situations in which PAC officers operate in various states of the country, it has been able to win the hearts of the people residing in those states,” he said. “The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF) also have PAC commandos posted there…On the lines of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), security of Lucknow Metro has been assigned to PAC. It is also proposed to deploy PAC at Noida Metro,” the chief minister said. Adityanath said in the past 69 years of its glorious history, the PAC has rendered important services on a number of challenging occasions. “Guarding international borders, foiling infiltration attempts, running drives against Naxals and terrorists, establishing the rule of law and helping to conduct peaceful elections, the PAC has established benchmarks by its ‘nishthaa’ (loyalty), ‘nispakshtaa’ (impartiality), professional acumen, courage and valour,” he said. Adityanath also said, “PAC has also played an important role in ensuring security of various festivals and fairs, especially the world-famous Kumbh Mela in Prayag (Allahabad), pilgrim places like Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, courts and VIPs/VVIPs. Every year during the monsoon, PAC’s flood relief company (Baarh Rahat company) is engaged in evacuating people from flooded areas and other rescue works”. “At present, there are 273 companies in 33 vahinis (battalions) of PAC. Of this, 199 companies are active, while 74 companies are ‘akriyaasheel’ (dormant). A process to recruit 18,000 jawans is on to make these dormant companies active,” he said. The chief minister was accorded Guard of Honour at the programme, an official statement issued by the state government said.