Making police more people-friendly a priority, says new DGP Praveen Dixit

What is your first reaction after becoming the new head of state police force?
I accept this responsibility with utmost humility. I am aware of the great expectations of every citizen in the state and outside, from me personally and from the force working under me. While I am aware of the limitations of resources, I am also encouraged by the trust shown by the Chief Minister and all the elected representatives, who decided to put me in the saddle. I have received strong support from all my colleagues, in the bureaucracy as well as the force, and I urge them to extend the same to me in the days to come.

What will be your priority?
My priority will be to continue the remarkable work done by my predecessor Sanjeev Dayal in improving the conviction rate in the state. Another area of importance is to make the police force more people-friendly, with particular emphasis on protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable sections of the society, such as women, children, elderly citizens and backward classes.

As the ACB Director General, you made optimum use of technology, especially social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, to curb the menace of corruption. Now what is the plan?
Maximum effort will be made to use scientific investigation techniques and forensic tools. Efforts will also be taken for digitisation of the police force on a large scale. I believe Maharashtra is the only state in the country to have effectively implemented the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System.

What steps will be taken to solve important cases such as murders of Dr Narendra Dabholkar and rationalist Govind Pansare?
The Dr Dabholkar murder case probe is being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). We are and will continue to provide all required help to the agency. Also, the High Court is keeping a close watch on the case. As far as the Pansare case is concerned, it is being investigated by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Since the case is still under investigation, it will not be appropriate for me to talk about it.

In 2011, the state police had sent a proposal to ban the Hindu right-wing outfit Sanatan Sanstha, but nothing has been done. What efforts will be made in this regard?
I will take stock of the situation.