30 March,2026 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis speaks to reporters after chairing the bi-annual state police officers’ conference in Mumbai. PIC/X
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced plans to use data-driven tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the state, news agency IANS reported.
He said the government would partner with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to develop an AI system capable of distinguishing between legal residents and those living without valid documentation. The tools will be deployed after testing is completed.
CM Fadnavis declared a "major war" against narcotics, with a particular focus on educational institutions. The state Director General of Police (DGP) is preparing a strategy to ensure campuses across Maharashtra remain free from illegal drugs.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the bi-annual state police officers' conference in Mumbai, Fadnavis outlined a comprehensive roadmap for state security. His plan emphasises: the elimination of Naxalism, integration of AI in policing, and a major crackdown on drug trafficking.
The CM also announced the government's push for a fully digitised legal process, giving the DGP six months to digitise workflows from FIR filing to charge sheet submission.
He added that blockchain technology will be implemented to maintain evidence integrity.
The criminal investigation department (CID) has been tasked with using AI to analyse unresolved cases from the past four to five years, aiming to identify loopholes and raise the state's conviction rate from the current 50 per cent to a target of 95 per cent.
Fadnavis commended the Maharashtra Police for their efforts in nearly eradicating Naxalism from the state, paying tribute to the 244 personnel who lost their lives in the struggle. He announced that all officers serving at least three years in the elite C-60 anti-Naxal force will now receive a special C-60 medal in recognition of their bravery.
He noted that the state's success aligns with the national goal set by PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to end Naxalism across India.
To ensure accountability, CM Fadnavis said a monthly grading system will be introduced for police districts. Districts performing above the state average will receive monthly awards from the DGP, while underperforming districts will be monitored and given corrective targets.
The conference also addressed road safety, noting that successful models in Nagpur and on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which reduced accidents by 30 per cent, will be replicated across major highways. Discussions also covered cybersecurity, communal harmony, and police welfare.
(With IANS inputs)
