Maharashtra Government to procure 2,000 bullet-proof jackets

Maharashtra Government would procure around 2,000 bullet-proof jackets as part of its efforts to mordernise police force in the backdrop of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

These jackets cost between Rs 32,000 and Rs 45,000 and are of high quality, tested at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh.

"Home minister RR Patil has directed the authorities to initiate the process for buying the jackets from an agency certified by the Centre," an official said.

The agency supplies these jackets to the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and National Security Guard.

The department has received flak over the quality of the bullet-proof jackets worn by officers like slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare who took on the terrorists.

Kavita Karkare, widow of Hemant Karkare, has flayed Congress-led state government for providing poor-quality jacket to her husband.