Intelligence dept will rope in 85 civilian experts; coastal and police depts to be beefed up
Mumbai Police stand guard as onlookers watch the security operation outside the Oberoi Trident hotel in Mumbai during the terror attacks on November 27, last year. AFP PHOTO/Sajjad HUSSAIN
Intelligence dept will rope in 85 civilian experts; coastal and police depts to be beefed upu00a0u00a0
MUMBAI Police will introduce special reforms and reinforcements in March. The State Government is spending Rs 126 crore on this, State Home Minister Jayant Patil told Sunday MiD DAY in an interview at his Royal Cottage bungalow in Altamount Road yesterday.
Improved weapons and Force One launch
We have taken some quick measures, which include some weaponry improvement like procuring the MP5 (a 9 mm submachine gun of German design and modern equipments) for the police force and setting up Force One (300-odd men to make a special crack commando team). Force One is being trained in combat operation using high-tech gadgets, arms and protection devices. The first batch will be ready by March. We will deploy the force in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Pune and other major cities in small numbers to enable a quick response. We are keeping in mind that the first batch of police who visited Taj and Oberoi on 26/11 had only revolvers and AK-47s were limited. The police force will now be armed adequately. A battalion of NSG commandos will be stationed on the outskirts of the city.
Barricading roads and nakabandhi
We have escalated barricading of roads and have intensified combing operations. Instructions have been given to the police to do the barricading in an effective manner and if there is any suspicion, they go up to the level of frisking. The idea is to remain more vigilant.
Last time (26/11), they (terrorists) landed in Mumbai and reached their targets without hindrance; so we must continue extensive barricading.
Coastal policing
We are strengthening coastal police stations and will keep vigilance on the seas by equipping them with modern high-speed boats. We are procuring 12 high-speed boats by March 31 and remaining 24 boats will be procured by next year. This is apart from the Centre's allocation of resources for coastal security.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be revised
The city police had to pay dearly for its lack of preparedness in dealing with a highly organised terror strike on 26/11. The current SOP is being reviewed and we will upgrade it soon.
Security audit of major premises in the city
We have instructed police to carry out a security audit of all major premises in the city.u00a0 The local police will do the security audit and occupants will be advised on what is to be done.
Direct recruitment in State Intelligence Department (SID)u00a0
The SID will directly recruit 85 young, educated experts in information technology and other specialised fields. We have separated SID out of MPSC. Unlike earlier, where policemen from different police sections were roped in to the SID, work for a stipulated time and return to their sections, this will be a permanent, dedicated team for intelligence gathering.
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Review policemen providing security to VIP's relatives
I have already asked the police to review the protection allotted to the relatives of the VIPs. We have also received their version of threat perception, which is about six months old. Now we have re-instructed them to give their latest threat perception opinion, after which the decision will be taken.
Corporates manning their own security with sophisticated weapons
I think we have to revisit the Indian Arms Act provisions. But as of now, we want private companies and enterprises to try and protect their own premises, as the police department has a limited force.
Also, we are looking to set up the Industrial Security Organisation so that they can protect private premises at a cost, as per requirement. It is a separate concept. We have not thought of the recruitment process yet.
Post 26/11 inquiries against CP Hassan Gafoor and DGP A N Royu00a0
R D Pradhan, ex-home secretary, Government of India has already started an inquiry into the lapses and incidents. He has been given two months time. I hope he will throw light on what we should do henceforth if such an occurrence takes place.
Police strength and fitness
We have already increased the number of police and have to learn to manage the show within. The idea is to train policemen effectively and keep them fit.
On poor firing practice
We are going to get ammunition we could not allow everybody to practice because of shortage of ammunition.
Now, every policeman who handles the weapon will get to practice effectively at various firing ranges in Maharashtra. I am making it compulsory for every policeman and officer to go and practice. The ammunition is not in shortage so far, but we will see that if the Indian Agencies (Ordinance Factory) fail to provide the ammunition, then the question will come up of bringing it from abroad.
On corruption in police force
It is easy to speak on corruption, but not to catch somebody red-handed. There should be more accountability. Every action of the police should be registered somewhere and that action should be auditable. I have worked on this when I was not the home minister and I feel accountability can be created to a larger extent stopping a vehicle on the street without a reason has to be recorded or allowing a vehicle to pass without any reason, also needs to be recorded. In the West, it is recorded through a speaker attached to the policeman's shoulder and connected to the central control system.
That is my ultimate idea, it will take some time. I have very less time (seven-eight months); I can't come out with decisions delivered within nine months which can upgrade the police systems. There are so many things to be done; I don't want to declare it all now.
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