R1 calling R2: No more walkie-talkies for Mumbai cops

The old wireless sets used by the police are on their way out as the state police are in the process of purchasing hi-tech wireless sets, which can also be used to send text messages and get data transfer from computers. Also the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) that were rejected by the Mumbai police from their procurement list, will now be used to combat Naxals in the Naxal-affected areas of the state by the Anti-Naxal Operations (ANO) unit.

According to the top police sources, the old wireless handsets will give way to the new ones, under the police modernisation plan.

“We are purchasing new wireless sets which not only send text messages, but can also be handy in accessing data transfer from computers. Until now we were using analogue wireless sets, but the new ones are digital,” said the officer.

Also, a proposal had been approved for procurement of UAVs and a formal government resolution (GR) was issued by the state government in February.

But the city police, in May, had written to the government that they are not procuring the UAVs stating that there was no trained staff to operate the UAVs. “We are in the process of getting two UAVs exclusively for the ANO as these will be very useful in aerial surveillance,” said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.

Police sources have also said that once the already allocated money is utilised by for procurement of weapons and equipments, more money will be allotted by the Central government as per requirements.