Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who on Friday made it clear that the government would not tolerate criminal activities, blamed the NCP, which he said was protecting criminals which had resulted in deterioration of law and order in cities like Pune.
Why Pune?
In his hour-long reply on Friday to the discussion in the assembly held on Thursday on law and order situation, Fadnavis said Pune was facing grave problems of gang-wars and a gang led by one Gajanan Pandharinath Marane was involved in all sorts of criminal activities, including extortion, firing and land grabbing. Such gangs were active only because they had political protection, he averred.
Did Fadnavis name NCP?
When Fadnavis mentioned 'political protection', a member asked him to name the people protecting criminals. The CM then said everyone knew which party it was. He said after the Pune police had externed nine gangsters of the Marane gang during the tenure of the previous government and sent a letter in this regard to the home department, the department stayed the decision. "What was the reason for this affection for these gangsters?" the CM asked. "The government will bring Maharashtra back on track. We will have zero tolerance for criminals," the CM added.
More forensic labs in state
The government would open state-of-the-art forensic laboratories in Nanded and Kolhapur to expedite investigation in criminal cases, the CM said. That would also help increase the conviction rate which is at present not more than 15%.
Fadnavis also provided details on various cases of attacks on Dalits. He said investigations into the Javkheda killing of three members of a Dalit family were over, and arrests had been made on credible evidence.
Power to transfer to be decentralised
He also said that during his meeting with senior police officers, including the DGP, on Friday afternoon, it had been decided to decentralize the power to transfer in the police department.
Women's cell in police stations
Fadnavis announced that a separate women's cell would be set up in all police stations. The cell would be handled by women officers, and enough women officers would be added to the department soon. He also said all police stations would have citizens' facilitation centres along with a single window system to provide various permissions.
Congress, NCP walk out
On Friday, before the chief minister's reply to the debate on law and order situation in the state, Ajit Pawar blamed the government for suspension of NCP MLA Jitendra Avhad and led a walk out by party legislators. Both NCP and Congress members walked out of the House.
Why did Congress walk out?
While Pawar made it clear that NCP would not attend the remaining winter session, Congress leader of the House, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, told the media that the Congress walk out was not in protest against Avhad's suspension, but in protest against glorification of late Nathuram Godse by a BJP MP in Parliament the other day. He said Congress would take part in the proceedings of the House on Monday.
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