Maharashtra ATS needs to be strengthened: RR Patil

Calling for a need to strengthen the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil today said that the administrative problems, being faced due to overlapping of functions between the ATS and Crime Branch, should be rectified.

"There are problems, which will be rectified. Certain functions of the two agencies overlap. We will have to fix the responsibilities and the nature of work of both the agencies," Patil told reporters here.

He was replying to a query on the reports in the section of media about a high-level committee's suggestion that ATS be disbanded due to the duplication of work between the two agencies.

The high-level committee, formed to look into the recommendations of the Ram Pradhan panel, is headed by DGP Ajit Parasnis, who retires on September 30.

Patil said there was no question of disbanding the ATS.

"If any police official has made such a recommendation, it is his personal view," the home minister said.

Patil said ATS needs to be strengthened further. "There are very efficient officers in the ATS, who have exposed people, who were never in the shadow of doubt earlier," he said referring to the Malegaon blasts probe.

To a question regarding the murder case of journalist J Dey, Patil said, that the chargesheet would be filed soon and the motive behind the murder would be made clear in it.

"The accused suspected that Dey was passing on information to the rival gang, resulting in the murder. Dey's financial condition was not so good, which proves that he was honest to his reporting work and was not involved in dubious activities," Patil said.

On the 13/7 Mumbai triple blasts probe, Patil said, "Investigations are on the right track. It is better to face criticism from the media and people about the slow progress of investigation, rather than revealing information in haste, which will allow culprits to flee the country."

To a question on DGP Parasnis's comments that crime investigation is taking a backseat, Patil said he agreed with the DGP's views.

"Police face a lot of hurdles in crime investigation due to law and order responsibilities. During the Ganesh and Eid festivals held recently, even the ATS officials had to put on their uniforms and report for bandobast duties," he said.

Speaking about his recent London visit to study the CCTV network of Scotland Yard, Patil said that large density of population is a major challenge in installing CCTV network in Mumbai, as compared to that in the UK.

He said that a high power committee, headed by the chief secretary, in which, ACS (home), finance and IT secretaries are the members have been authorised to take decisions regarding the clearing of the CCTV network.

"To avoid delays, the files will be processed by this committee and no minister will be involved. Zone-wise audit will be done to ascertain the requirement of CCTV by taking into confidence all local police officers," Patil said adding that in the first phase three control rooms will be set up.

He said apart from the control rooms, issues of recruiting skilled manpower and providing incentives to the police officials for the work will also have to be considered.

"A dedicated cadre will be developed," he added.

Patil said, sensitive areas, crowded places, crime prone localities and major traffic junctions will be covered in the first phase.

The tender process will begin from November end.