Sena-BJP see ploy in Bhosale arrest

‘‘The government is putting dutiful officers behind bars and leaving the state open for terrorists to kill people,’’ read a statement issued by Opposition leader Narayan Rane. ‘‘As a government, you are supposed to protect police officers who endanger their lives to counter terrorists. Here, the government itself is ordering arrest of its best detectives.’’

It would demoralise the police force in the state and no officer would prefer to investigate any such cases in future, Rane said.

The VHP, too, has declared its support to the encounter specialists.‘‘The Maharashtra Government is worried about a missing terrorist, not crores of people who are living under the threat of terrorism,’’ said Vyankatesh Abdeo, regional secretary of the VHP. He said the VHP would extend legal assistance to the arrested officers.

Rane further adds he has reasons to believe the allegations against the officers are fabricated. ‘‘Mafia gangs have always adopted this modus operandi and made false allegations against daring officers in the Mumbai CID. A case had been brought to light in 2000 when Dawood Ibrahim tried to transfer two officers in the Crime Branch,’’ he said.