Thane police form anti-terrorist squad |
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 Suprakash ChakravatryWhile the state is still struggling to form an anti-terrorist squad (ATS), the Thane police have already gone ahead and formed such a squad.
The 10-member team has been formed with the best policemen from the existing force and are stationed at the Thane police headquarters.
The squad is the brainchild of Thane Police Commissioner Suprakash Chakravatry and will report directly to him and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ashok Devare.
Most of the squad members are known for their meticulous performance, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amar Jadhav. The team will be provided with the required training including martial arts and handling sophisticated arms, Jadhav added.
Chakravarty said, We are utilising a small team who will liaise with other intelligence agencies and collect information on terrorist movements within the limits of the Thane Police Commissione-rate.
The squad members will not be given any extra money but will be exempt from routine police work.
It will be a one-point contact for any terrorist-related information and on the basis of inputs gathered by them, other operations will be planned. They will also assist joint operations within our jurisdiction, he said.
Meanwhile, the Thane rural police have also formed an anti-terrorist squad to maintain a strict vigil in the Mira Road area.
The squad is made up of three officers and six policemen selected from three police stations Mira Road, Bhayandar and Kashmira.
Thane (rural) Police Superintendent Ramrao Pawar confirmed the formation of the squad but clarified that though the squad would keep tabs on anti-social elements in the Mira-Bhayandar area, it would be known as a special squad instead of an anti-terrorist squad.
The squad is expected to be stationed in the Mira Road- Bhayandar area and will be responsible for gathering local intelligence.
A reason for delay in the formation of the state ATS is a reported tussle between Director General of Police O P Bali and Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma over whom the high profile squad should report to.
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