Each criminal will be assigned one officer who will track their every move in a bid to avert any attempts by terror outfits to brainwash them
Local goons will now find their every move being shadowed by the Mumbai Police under the 'One cop, one gangster' initiative, with a police officer assigned as a handler to each thug to prevent them from being brainwashed by anti-national elements. Starting this month, the assigned cops will not only have to meet the criminals on a routine basis, but will also have to track their dealings, contacts, income and other details.
Representational picture
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Additional Commissioner of Police (south region) Pratap Dighavkar said, “We have brought all criminals in organised gangs under surveillance. Some have also gone to jail and can be influenced. The anti-national elements may use them against our country. Therefore, in this initiative we will keep tabs on their every movement and connection.”
In south Mumbai, a total of 93 thugs have been identified, of which 76 have been traced, with the police holding detailed information on them. Each of these criminals have serious cases filed against them under the MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act), POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act), TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities), etc.
As part of the initiative, one officer of PSI (police sub inspector) or API (assistant police inspector) rank will be assigned one criminal to keep tabs on. The cops will have to maintain stringent surveillance of the criminals, and several instructions have been issued to this effect.
Not only will each goon have to meet his designated cop every eight days, but he will also have to go to the police station every fortnight, where a fresh photograph of him will be taken. Apart from that, the officer will have to keep track of all his dealings.
While Dighavkar did not disclose the names on the criminal list, it is believed to include criminals from all gangs including, D company. JJ Marg, VP Road and Pydhonie have the maximum number of criminals in the list. It has been recommended that young, keen officers should be deployed to keep watch on the dreaded criminals. The officers should keep a loaded pistol with him while visiting the goon, and be accompanied by a constable for his own protection.
A police officer said, “It is a very good initiative. The accused will be afraid as he will always be under the scanner.”
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