K P Raghuvanshi takes over as Thane Commissioner

“There are several challenges in the Thane commissionerate,such as maintaining communal harmony,dealing with migration and a floating population. It is also a widely spread area which lacks continuity,with areas such as Thane,Bhiwandi,Kalyan,Ulhasnagar and Ambernath separated by gaps,” Raghuvanshi said.

Speaking about his immediate goals as the new Thane police chief,Raghuvanshi said,“Despite strength constraints,the Thane police has being doing a good job and the good work will be carried forward. There is a cosmopolitan population here,but with a different culture than in Mumbai. One aim would be to ensure more and more participation of the public in policing. Another initiative I want to take is citizen facilitation centres in police stations so that citizens coming with complaints receive a polite and efficient response. Certain structural modifications will also be necessary,but it is too early to speak about this. I will have to understand local issues,and sit and discuss them with my officers first.”

When asked whether his transfer had anything to do with the fact that questions were being raised about the state Anti-Terrorism Squad’s probe and arrests in the September 2006 Malegaon blast case under his supervision,Raghuvanshi replied,“The posting was definitely unexpected and came as a surprise,as I was not aware my name was in the running for the post. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Malegaon investigation. In fact,after Mumbai,Thane is the second most important commissionerate and this is a very coveted posting.”