LUCKNOW, Aug. 19 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that before 2017, apprehending criminals often took years, but advancements in technology and forensic science have now made it possible to catch them within just 24 to 48 hours. He also said a cyber police headquarters will be established in the state soon to strengthen efforts against cybercrime. The chief minister was speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day international seminar on forensic science, organised by the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science in Lucknow. Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said that prior to 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only four forensic laboratories. At present, there are 12 forensic labs in police ranges. Soon, all 18 police ranges will have one each forensic lab and the remaining six labs will come up soon, he assured. He also highlighted that 75 mobile forensic units have been deployed across all districts in the state. He mentioned the establishment of 75 cyber police stations, one in each district, and the setting up of cyber helpdesks in 1,587 police stations statewide to strengthen the fight against cybercrime. "Soon, cyber police headquarters will be established in the state to combat cyber related crime," the chief minister said. From July 2024 onwards, it has been made mandatory to collect forensic evidence for all such crimes where punishment is more than seven years, he said. He emphasised the importance of keeping abreast of modern technologies to build a safe and tech-savvy society for future generations. The government aims to continue modernising the Uttar Pradesh Police, one of the largest police forces in the country, to meet emerging challenges and ensure that future generations remember the state's efforts with pride, he said. The seminar is expected to prepare society to face current challenges and further enhance the capabilities of the Uttar Pradesh Police. The chief minister emphasised that in the Indian tradition, every deliberation has yielded something beneficial. He referred to the successful use of technology in organising the Mahakumbh earlier this year. He also said that Uttar Pradesh Police has transformed its working style, ensuring that no criminal can escape the law. He credited this progress to the dedication of the police force and their adoption of advanced technical measures. During the event, CM inaugurated the Padma Shri Dr Lalji Singh Advanced DNA Diagnostic Center, AI, Drone and Robotics Lab, and the Atal Library. He also distributed smart tablets to students and flagged off 75 mobile forensic vans. The three-day seminar will discuss various aspects of cyber warfare, multilateral legal frameworks, forensic science, and strategic countermeasures. DGP Rajiv Krishna, principal secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, principal secretary (IT & Electronics) Anurag Yadav, additional secretary (IT, Government of India) Abhishek Singh, ADG (technical) Naveen Arora and UPSIFS director GK Goswami were present on the occasion....