DNA:
Mumbai: Sunday, 01 February 2015.
A key post
created in the Maharashtra police to combat terrorism and the Maoist menace in
the state after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks was downgraded within four
months, an RTI query has revealed.
The post of
Director-General of Police – Special Operations (DGP-OS), was downgraded a
notch to Additional DGP-OS, according to the reply from the DGP office to the
RTI query by activist Anil V. Galgali.
"This
inexplicable degradation of such a sensitive post raises suspicions over the
government's commitment to tackling the terror and Maoist menace in the
state," Galgali said.
The post
sixth in the rank of DGPs in the state – was created after the Mumbai terror
attacks and to counter the Maoist menace in the eastern parts of the state,
especially Gadchiroli district.
"... the
26/11 terrorist attacks and the ever increasing activity of Naxalites on its
borders warranted a need for strengthening the police system," the DGP
office said in its reply, conceding the requirement.
It also said
that coordination was required to be established with the central forces and
the bordering states of Maharashtra to counter the increasing Maoist terror
through this new post.
After it was
created, senior IPS officer Jayant Umranikar was appointed the first DGP-OS and
he continued till Dec 31, 2009.
Later, the
post remained vacant for nearly two months and subsequently, five officers in
that rank were appointed, mostly for brief tenures, Galgali said.
The
incumbents were Sanjeev Dayal (Feb 26, 2010 – May 31, 2010; after a gap of
almost one year, SP Gupta was appointed (May 27, 2011 – June 25, 2012), PK Jain
(June 26, 2012 –Feb 28, 2014), and the current incumbent Bipin Bihar (Nov 3,
2014 – till date).
The
government did not appoint a single officer of the rank of Superintendent of
Police (SP) as staff officer in the office till date and the responsibilities
are being shared by a senior clerk, a junior office superintendent and two
junior clerks.
Armed with
the RTI reply, Galgali has shot off a letter to Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis demanding upgradation of the sensitive post and appointment of capable
officers of the relevant ranks along with proper staff.
"Many a time, it is seen that after any
major crisis, the government shows promptness, but eventually loses interest in
its own decisions which eventually erodes credibility among the people,"
Galgali observed.