What does the cryptic crossword clue "Secret police start to subvert stable state (6)" mean?

The definition is "stable state". The wordplay uses acrostic, charade. STASI (synonym of "Secret police") + S (first letter of "subvert") [first letter: "start"]; definition: "stable state" The answer is STASIS.

Secret police start to subvert stable state (6)

Guardian Cryptic #29091 | 23 Across | 2023-06-08 flower

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