This was the advice of home minister RR Patil to city police yesterday, in light of the increasing number of such crimes
Spiralling incidents of chain snatching seem to have disconcerted even the state home minister. While announcing the merger of 26 villages into the city police commissionerate yesterday, RR Patil directed the cops to use weapons against the culprits, if needed, and said there was no room for empathy.u00a0
Taking cognisance of a complaint, which came from a senior citizen whose wife’s chain was swiped in Wadgaon Sherry in broad daylight recently, Patil lashed out at the police and said, “It is disappointing that day by day the number of cases of chain snatching is increasing in the city at an alarming rate.
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However, the detection rate is terribly low.”
With rapt attention: RR Patil hears grievance of a senior citizen at an even organised for the elderly at police headquarters yesterday
He warned that if such episodes constantly escalate, the senior police inspector of the area would be held responsible. While giving a free hand to cops, Patil opined that if miscreants are not scared of the law and are repeating their acts, they should be taught a lesson.
“I issue the order that you can use your weapons against chain snatchers. If anybody is committing crimes again and again, there is no need to show compassion or humanitarianism,” the NCP leader said.
He went on to proclaim that cops need not worry about human rights groups and such matters would be attended to by the government. “The foremost issue is the safety of the citizens and that should be your priority,” Patil maintained.
He advocated that cops use stringent provisions like MCOCA if a chain snatcher is nabbed. He also told the police to nail the jewellers and other recipients of the stolen goods.
Jurisdiction of police stations to be reworked
Patil also directed the police department to redraw maps of concerned police stations whose jurisdiction would be affected because of the merger.
While addressing a large gathering comprising sarpanches, deputy sarpanches, gram panchayat members of the 26 villages, police officials and senior citizens, the minister announced that the villages have now become the part of the city police commissionerate and police stations like Dehu
Road, Loni Kalbhor, Haveli and Abhiruchi, which were earlier under Pune rural police, are now attached to the city police commissionerate.
“Considering the present manpower of the commissionerate and the existing police stations, there is now a need to redraw the maps of some of the police stations, which are affected by the state government’s decision. I direct police commissioner Gulabrao Pol to assess and redraw the maps of these areas,” Patil said.
He also admitted that the department was short-staffed, but promised more personnel soon.u00a0
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