New Mumbai police chief warns underworld

MUMBAI, MAY 5. The new City Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mahesh Narayan Singh, today sounded an alarm for the Underworld gangsters by announcing that they would be dealt with a firm hand to make the metropolis a safe and secure place.

Speaking to newspersons here after taking charge from the outgoing police chief,Mr. R H Mendonca, Singh said his priorities would be to come down on Underworld criminals and

their nefarious activities and create a sense of security among the people.

``The job of the Mumbai police is always challenging and soon various measures will be adopted with the cooperation of the people to drive out the Underworld gangs,'' he said.

Referring to Pakistan's ISI agents, Mr. Singh said: ``I know there is some activity and it has to be tackled seriously and whatever measures were adopted by Mendonca will be continued''.

Mr. Singh, who was the Joint Police Commissioner of the City during the 1993 bomb blasts, said ``our drive will continue and our actions will be visible to people who are our best judges''.

About the intense activity of Chota Shakeel, Mr. Singh said ``I do not know what he thinks, but we will come down heavily on all the groups which are active in the city''.

In a message to his colleagues, he said ``I will like to maintain strict discipline in order to live and work like a family'' and assured he would be accessible to them and try his best to solve their various problems, including that of housing - PTI

UNI adds:

When it was pointed out that the Samajwadi Party was not happy with him being appointed as the police chief, he said, ``I cannot comment on that''. The Samajwadi Party is reportedly unhappy over the decision as post riots in Mumbai, as the Joint Commissioner of Police (crime), Mr. Singh, had then, ruthlessly handled the accused.

He said, ``whatever I have done is as per law. Nothing above law or nothing below law''. About his handling the blast accused, he said, ``'I have tackled the situation as per law.''

Unke saath pyar-mohabbat nahin ki ja sakti(they cannot be pampered),'' he remarked. ``I will not like to debate further as the court is looking after it,'' he said.

To a query, he also expressed concern over the decline in conviction rate -- which has come down drastically in Maharashtra to around four per cent from the earlier 18 to 25 per cent, though it is well above the national average of one per cent. ``It is definitely a matter of concern for all of us,'' he said.

The motto of the new police chief will be peaceful environment for Mumbaikars. ``Live in peace and work in peace,'' he said will be the ultimate goal. ``And for this, the gangsters will have to be driven out.''

Mendonca happy

After relinquishing the hot seat of the Mumbai police chief, Mr. Ronnie Mendonca is a happy man today. ``There were several challenges during my tenure, and I have met those successfully, Mr. Mendonca said after handing over charge to the new police chief Mr. M.N. Singh.

Among his achievements, the outgoing police chief cites was the handling of the law and order situation during the tabling of the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission report, which probed the post- Babri Masjid communal riots in Mumbai during December 1992- January 1993 and the sensational serial bomb blasts.

Since the Democratic Front Government came to power in

Maharashtra, there has been speculations about Mr. Mendocca being shunted out as he was not reported to be in good terms with the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, who also holds the Home portfolio.

He even proceeded on leave early this year after Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration)Mr. T.K. Chowdhury was brought in.

Mr. Bhujbal has described the transfer of Mr. Mendonca as routine.

When asked whether there was some pressure from the Government, Mr. Mendonca replied in negative. When asked whether he has asked the Government to relieve him from the post, he said ``I have explained in a letter to the government''.

Mr, Mendonca, when asked about the contents of the letter, said ``we do not disclose the details of correspondence and the conduct rules does not permit to disclose the details.'' He denied that there was any political pressure on him to quit the job as the city police chief.

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