Maha to raise Force One with latest weapons to combat terror

The Maharashtra government would raise Force One unit on the lines of NSG commandos and acquire 250 latest MP5 guns to combat terror attacks, state Home Minister Jayant Patil told the state Legislative Assembly on.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan said that a high-level probe will be conducted to determine the lapses on part of Director General of police and Mumbai police chief Hasan Gafoor.

Replying to the marathon debate on an adjournment motion by opposition leader Ramdas Kadam which ended shortly after midnight last night, Patil said that it was the resolve of the state government to instill a sense of security among the people of Mumbai in particular and Maharashtra in general.

He said the state government will as part of strengthening the intelligence network would recruit 25 personnel who would be inducted and recruitment will be out of the purview of MPSC.

A special court in consultation with chief justice of Bombay High Court will set up to try the perpetrators of the terror attack. Advocate Juwal Nikam has been appointed as the special public prosecutor to assist the state government, Patil said adding the chargesheet will be filed within seven days.

Patil said that as part of strengthening coastal security, 36 speed boats would be procured and 12 of them will come immediately. The Maharashtra government would set up a state security council headed by CM which will comprise of Deputy CM, Home Minister and other ministers concerned along with opposition leaders, chief secretary and others.

Patil said that Maharashtra government would be spending Rs 127 crore on modernisation of state police force and on procuring latest firearms. The bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) would be strengthened and would be located in few new locations, he said.

As part of coastal security, armed policemen would be deployed at all 41 boat landing points on the sea front and the state has already beefed up security by conducting combing operations and naka bandi to check and flush out suspected persons.

Patil said that the government has written to the centre to evolve a system of verifying those venturing into sea and returning by providing them identity cards which was presently not available. Presently no record is being maintained to know how many fishermen go out into the sea and come back, he added.

The state was trying to provide best of possible training and weapons to Maharashtra and Mumbai police to fight such terror attacks, the Home Minister said. He lauded the policemen who confronted the terrorists with barehands, with sticks and outdated rifles.

"I have spoken to some security agencies of foreign countries including Chicago to find out what best is possible in procuring weapons," Patil said.

The government would shortly be recommending to the centre appropriate awards to the martyrs of terror attack in Mumbai on 26/11.