How Uttar Pradesh Became a Law-and-Order Success Story

For decades, Uttar Pradesh (UP) carried the weight of its reputation as India’s most lawless state. It was a place where crime syndicates operated with impunity, where gangsters seamlessly transitioned into politics, and where law enforcement was often reduced to a mere spectator. The scale of the challenge was staggering—a population of 240 million, larger than most countries, spread across diverse and often volatile regions.

But in recent years, something remarkable has happened. UP Police, once viewed as either ineffective or overzealous, has evolved into a force that is proactive, technology-driven, and capable of managing security on an unprecedented scale. This shift didn’t occur in isolation; it was the result of a clear political mandate, smart policing strategies, and a conscious effort to rebuild public trust.

The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, a religious gathering that drew over 50 crore pilgrims to Prayagraj, became the ultimate test of this transformation. The event’s sheer scale presented formidable challenges—crowd control, potential stampedes, logistical bottlenecks, and security threats. Yet, rather than descending into chaos, it was managed with precision, without major security failures, and with a level of efficiency that few would have expected a decade ago.

For any state grappling with organized crime, political interference, or public distrust in law enforcement, the lessons from UP’s turnaround are worth examining—not as a one-size-fits-all model, but as a study in what is possible when governance and policing align.

Political Will and the Freedom to Enforce the Law

Policing is only as effective as the political will that backs it. UP’s criminal networks thrived for years not just because of gaps in law enforcement, but because they enjoyed informal protections from the corridors of power. That dynamic has changed. A decisive governance shift has ensured that no one—regardless of influence—is beyond the reach of the law.

This has given UP Police the mandate to act decisively, breaking apart criminal empires that once seemed untouchable. Gangsters who wielded unchecked power—some with deep political connections—have found themselves behind bars, their assets seized, their networks dismantled.

For other states struggling with crime, the lesson is clear: policing cannot be effective unless law enforcement has the autonomy to act without hesitation or political constraints.

Beyond Arrests: Breaking the Economics of Crime

Crime doesn’t just exist in dark alleys—it thrives in boardrooms, through illicit wealth, land deals, and businesses that launder criminal earnings into legitimacy. UP Police recognized that to dismantle organized crime, it wasn’t enough to arrest individuals; the financial infrastructure that sustained them had to be taken apart.

Their approach involved:
    •    Asset seizures: Illegally acquired properties were confiscated, removing the financial cushion that had allowed criminals to operate with impunity.
    •    Crackdown on shadow economies: From land mafias to unregulated money-lending networks, financial arteries of organized crime were cut off.
    •    Legal accountability: A focus on strong prosecution ensured that cases resulted in convictions rather than dissolving into procedural dead ends.

For states where crime has become economically embedded, UP’s strategy highlights a fundamental truth: law enforcement cannot stop at arresting criminals—it must make crime financially unsustainable.

Technology as a Force Multiplier

The Maha Kumbh Mela is not just a test of manpower but of intelligence-led policing. UP Police deployed over 2,700 AI-powered cameras, real-time biometric tracking, and drone surveillance to anticipate congestion points, identify risks, and prevent disruptions before they could escalate.

This shift from reactive policing to predictive policing is what distinguishes modern law enforcement. Surveillance today isn’t just about watching—it’s about anticipating, preempting, and deploying resources with precision.

For states struggling with urban crime, insurgency, or large-scale unrest, UP’s model presents a clear case: policing must be technology-first. Big data, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring are no longer luxuries; they are essentials.

Managing Security at an Unprecedented Scale

Few regions in the world must manage law and order at the scale of Uttar Pradesh. The population is larger than Brazil’s, and maintaining security across such a vast and diverse landscape requires more than just a large police force—it requires an ecosystem of coordination.

The success of UP’s security framework at Maha Kumbh wasn’t just about the police—it was about how intelligence agencies, local administrations, emergency response teams, and law enforcement worked in a synchronized manner. The force was not simply reacting to threats—it was proactively shaping the security environment.

For any region facing large-scale policing challenges—be it political protests, civil unrest, or disaster response—this model offers a crucial lesson: law enforcement cannot merely respond to crises; it must be structured to prevent them.

The Digital Battlefield: Policing Beyond the Streets

Crime is no longer confined to physical spaces—it thrives in digital ecosystems of misinformation, cyber fraud, and online radicalization. UP Police recognized this early, developing specialized cybercrime units to track digital threats.

During Maha Kumbh, law enforcement took swift action against 140 social media accounts spreading false narratives, ensuring that misinformation didn’t translate into real-world panic.

For any state grappling with fake news, online propaganda, or cybercrime, the lesson is clear: policing must extend beyond the streets to the digital sphere. A force that does not control the online narrative risks losing control of the ground.

Rebuilding Public Trust Through Engagement

Perhaps one of the most understated aspects of UP’s transformation has been its effort to redefine its relationship with the public.

For years, UP Police—like many law enforcement agencies—suffered from an image problem. To many, the force was seen as either too passive to be effective or too aggressive to be trusted. Changing this perception required more than just effective policing—it required a shift in how the police engaged with the communities they served.

Initiatives like senior officers holding direct grievance redressal sessions with citizens, have helped bridge this trust gap. Social media is no longer just a tool for crime alerts—it has become a space for real-time engagement, public safety advisories, and citizen outreach.

For states where police-public relations remain strained, UP’s approach is a compelling example of how law enforcement cannot operate in isolation—public trust is as much a part of effective policing as enforcement itself.

A Blueprint for Modern Law Enforcement

UP’s policing transformation is not just a local success story—it is a scalable model for regions struggling with crime, disorder, or declining public trust in law enforcement.

The lessons are clear:
    •    Policing must be independent. Law enforcement cannot be effective if it is constantly navigating political pressures.
    •    It must be intelligence-led. Preventing crime is always more effective than responding to it.
    •    It must be technologically driven. The scale and complexity of modern policing demand data-driven decision-making.

UP’s story is not one of perfection. Challenges remain, and sustaining this momentum will require continuous innovation and accountability. But what it has proven is this: even the most entrenched law-and-order crises can be reversed when governance, strategy, and technology converge.

For states struggling with crime, the question is no longer whether transformation is possible—but whether they have the will to make it happen.

(The writer is DG Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau.