Mumbai, Jan 31 (IANS) 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 told IANS.
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 attack 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 S.P. Gupta was appointed (May 27, 2011 - June 25, 2012), P.K. 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 times, 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.
Coal block case: Court allows CBI plea to delete witness name
New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) A Delhi court Tuesday allowed a plea of the CBI seeking deletion of th
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's meeting with the entrepreneurs of the metr
A Delta Airlines plane met with an accident at Toronto Airport in Canada. Now pictures and videos
It is about the year 2018. The mother of Subhabrata Majumdar, who lived in Kolkata's 'James Long
new Delhi. Corona virus has killed 134636 people worldwide so far. At the same time, the number o
Money Laundering Case: Film actress Jacqueline Fernandez appeared in the Enforcement Directorate
BSF has given the latest information about the situation in Murshidabad, West Bengal after the vi
Sri Lanka bags $2.9 billion IMF deal after China's support, President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed
Sri Lanka, which is facing a financial crisis, needs a conditional International Monetary Fund (I
On his birthday, Samay Raina took a big step and apologized on social media for his actions.
Stand-up comedian Samay Raina is celebrating his birthday today. On this occasion, he apologized
Third EC notice to Kejriwal on 'bribe for votes' comment
New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) The Election Commission Tuesday issued a third notice to AAP leader Ar
