Better infrastructure and tools to detect cyber fraud cases: Navi Mumbai top cop

Few months ago we started a new system in Navi Mumbai, wherein we have prepared a list of senior citizens who are staying alone and have deputed men to periodically visit them. We go check on their well-being, do their security audit and accordingly suggest appropriate measures that they should take when they are alone at home. We have also increased patrolling in our jurisdiction to ensure the safety of women and children. Besides, our main job is to ensure that the law and order is maintained and we take appropriate action against wrong-doers. Also we aim at roping in Good Samaritans to maintain peace and harmony in the society.

Recently, Navi Mumbai police held a massive crackdown on some Nigerians and arrested 39 of them for illegal activities. What triggered such a major operation? And how will you ensure that these arrested foreigners do not return to illegal activities again?

Our operation was not done to target any specific community, but to arrest those involved in certain illicit activities.

We came to know that certain sections of people are coming to India under the pretext of undergoing medical treatment or to get education but are not returning and instead getting involved in narcotic activities. So we did a proper recce and after conducting a thorough study, multiple teams were sent to nab them. Our society is facing a huge problem of narcotics due to which such an operation was necessary. As a precaution, we are forcing many of these detainees to leave India while stringent action is being taken against others. This is not a one-time thing, but a perennial activity which we will be adopting.

The Navi Mumbai police commissionerate has sent a proposal to the government requesting for three new police stations. Is it to deal with the growing infrastruc-ture like the Panvel Airport or MTHL? Do you have sufficient manpower to deal with it?

Considering the crime rate, the law and order situation, investments in Navi Mumbai like the new airport, MTHL, Naina project taking off and other CIDCO development, we had a discussion among the senior officials following which we proposed three new police stations and reorganisation of certain police stations and zones. We had sent a primary proposal (early this year) but we are fine-tuning that proposal and will send it again in the coming days. Though by and large Navi Mumbai police commissionerate has sufficient manpower, we still need to equip our men with better technology to deal with crime and law and order.

There have been a couple of rallies by Sakal Hindu Samaj in Navi Mumbai. Was any legal action taken against those involved in hate speeches?

We are working strictly in accordance with law and in one instance we witnessed that the speech was aggressive. So we proceeded accordingly by registering an offence. We have also submitted a chargesheet against the ones who were found violating the law.

In April, 14 people died due to heat stroke after being in the open for hours under the sun at an award ceremony for renowned social activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari in Kharghar. Do you think the event could have been managed better to avoid deaths?

It was unfortunate that people lost their lives due to dehydration. Police did a wonderful job and other agencies, who were involved, had also planned at micro level, but some calculations went astray. Otherwise, there was absolutely no mala fide intention or negligence. But there is a commission that is conducting an inquiry into the matter.

How do you plan to curb the menace of cyber crime? Increasing complaints with poor detection and recovery rate in cyber crime cases are some of the serious issues plaguing the citizens. How do you plan to tackle these?

As per the GR of 2017, cyber police stations were established in each of the units across Maharashtra. Recently, we have enhanced it by providing better infrastructure and tools to detect cyber fraud cases. While we have also increased manpower in that department, we have intensified their training to educate them about the latest modus operandi which has helped us in building capacity to deal with cyber crimes. Besides, every police station has a designated cyber cell that also deals with cyber related cases. And we have also started spreading awareness among the citizens to ensure that they do not fall prey to such cyber frauds.