The affluent don’t break laws when abroad,says police chief

At the moment we don’t know if Eid falls on September 10 or September 11. If it falls on September 11,it coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi. All possible preparations are being made,and adequate manpower has been earmarked. Internal discussions have been held,and we have identified places that need to be especially watched. We have also requisitioned additional forces from outside.

We have always advised Ganesh Mandals to install CCTV cameras,and many do have them. Lalbaugcha Raja has an elaborate network,and some more have got them installed with the help of private companies. The footage will be monitored by our men from control rooms at the sites.

Are there any specific terror alerts?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a huge occasion and people gather in large numbers. There is always a chance that people will look to strike at such a time. There are always terror alerts during this period,and this year too the Centre has sent us alerts. We will make all possible arrangements to see that people enjoy the festival joyfully and peacefully.

The police had sought a change in the date of the relay in the city as it could possibly clash with Eid. What is the current status,and how will you be able to arrange a free and secure stretch of road?

As it stands now,the Government of India has informed us that the baton will arrive in Mumbai on September 10,and stay with us till September 12. Since people will be out to celebrate Eid,their religious sentiments will be taken into consideration while making arrangements. The relay will have to take place in areas less likely to be congested. The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has not specified a definite distance for the relay; it has been left to the local organising committee to decide.

Despite campaigns by the traffic police,accidents due to drunken driving continue. Can you truly prevent such accidents,and do we need stronger deterrents?

All we can really do is educate people and enforce the laws. There is a need for people to obey laws instinctively. In case of the affluent class,they do not break laws when they live abroad. There are also tougher procedures abroad. For instance,if you have a traffic offence against your name,the insurance premium for your car is cancelled.

In the Sushil Kothari accident case,investigating officer P A Repale argued that releasing him would cause communal tension as Kothari and the victim belong to different religions. What is the police’s stand,and is any action being taken against the officer?

It was an utterly insensitive and stupid remark,and we are conscious of it. We will do all that is necessary to make the officer aware of his mistake and ensure he does not repeat it.

Why has the Mumbai Police not been able to neutralise the Ravi Pujari gang,whose activities are on the rise?

It is not true to say his activities are on the rise; they have always been there. We have formed two teams,and the team led by the Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) has made good progress. On Friday,three members were caught of whom Ashok Chaudhari is very high up in the gang. We have held meetings with builders’ associations urging them not to pay extortion money to the gang.

After the recent robbery at HDFC Bank’s Borivali branch,do you feel banks need to do more for security?

Banks have taken some measures such as installing CCTV cameras and hiring security guards. But in the Borivali branch,there were two security guards. The watchman whose rifle was snatched did not play the role he was supposed to,was not alert as he should have been,and did not react the way he should have. There are laws governing licensing of private security agencies,as well as for individual guards. We are looking into this again,and we always impress upon banks the need for tighter measures.