Crime
1993 Serial Blasts: Is Mumbai less vulnerable to terror strike?
On March 12, 1993, a series of 12 bomb blasts ripped across Mumbai in which officially 257 persons died and 1,400 were injured. It was the worst urban terrorist attack then. Is Mumbai less vulnerable now to a similar terror strike than what it was 30 years ago? The answer is an emphatic ‘No’.
NN Vora Committee report yet to be made public
The biggest injustice has been done to the metropolis by the government by not making public the report of NN Vora Committee, which was appointed to unearth the links between the underworld, politicians, police and bureaucrats. The 100-page report by the former Union home secretary had gone into the depth of the problem and submitted a remarkably candid report to the government, a source privy to the document told the Free Press Journal.
Despite several efforts by citizens to get the report made public through PILs and other means, it continues to gather dust in the archives of the North Block. Only 11 pages were placed on the floor of Parliament. But, these 11 pages hardly gave any worthwhile information.
The report exposes, among other things, the close nexus between a top politician and the Dawood Ibrahim gang. Reportedly that is one of the primary reasons why the political establishment wants to keep it under wraps.
People have every right to read report: Suradkar
Even though the people of Mumbai have a right to know the contents of the report, they have been kept in the dark. Former IPS officer SS Suradkar, who had fought a brave battle to break the deep nexus between politicians and the underworld of Vasai-Virar, said the people have every right to read the Vora report.
Interestingly, Sharad Pawar, who was the chief minister during the blasts, confessed that he had lied to the people about the number of blasts. While the fact was that the 12 blasts had taken place in Hindu-dominated areas, Pawar had claimed that there was a 13th blast in a Muslim-majority area. He had also hinted at the role of the LTTE in the blasts, while it was very clear from day one that the attacks were the handiwork of the Dawood Ibrahim gang working at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI. Pawar claimed that he lied because he did not want more communal riots in Mumbai, but there are few takers for his claim even today.
The RDX explosives, grenades and AK 47s were smuggled through the Raigad coast by Dawood’s men with the connivance of certain corrupt Customs officials.
Raigad coast continues to be vulnerable
The Raigad coast continues to be vulnerable. It was because the authorities had not learnt any lesson that on November 26, 2008 Ajmal Kasab and his men came through the coast in front of Badhwar Park in Colaba, hired cabs and launched terror strikes.
They were provided logistics support by the Ali gang which was dominating the Mumbai docks. The truth is that this gang, which is primarily into diesel smuggling from the high seas, is still active in the docks. In fact, it spread its tentacles to the JNPT port.
Corruption in customs a big menace
Corruption in the Customs department has increased as exposed by the FPJ in a series of reports recently. There is open talk of links between certain IPS officers and the underworld with the ex-Director General of Police Sanjay Pande and ex-Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Barve submitting detailed reports on the issue to the state home department.
But these reports have been junked for no apparent reason. Retired assistant commissioner of police Rajendra Kumar Trivedi said he filed RTI applications to get copies of the reports sent by Pande and Barve, but the home department rejected his applications.
Today, even though the violent activities of Mumbai’s underworld have reduced substantially, their money and muscle power has increased exponentially.
Pramod Goenka, a prominent builder, was summoned by Choota Shakeel to Maputo in Mozambique and today nothing is heard from him. Big builders are still required to give protection money to D-Company. One of the builders said, “We have to do it to ensure our physical safety.”
Crime
K’taka CM urges police to join him in his mission to make state drug-free

Bengaluru, Oct 28: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday called upon the state police to join him in the mission to make Karnataka a “drugs-free state”, urging officers to take strong and coordinated action against the menace.
“My goal is to make Karnataka drugs-free, and I urge you to make it your goal as well. If we achieve this, the people of Karnataka will express their gratitude to the police department,” the Chief Minister said.
He was speaking after distributing new peak caps to police personnel, inaugurating the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, and releasing the ‘Sanmitra’ action plan handbook at an event organised by the Karnataka State Police Department at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall in Bengaluru.
“Our youth, students, and young generation should not fall prey to drugs. The police department must take a firm and committed stand against this menace,” he said.
“In Mangaluru district, there were frequent communal clashes and instances of misconduct by police personnel earlier. The officers in charge at the time failed to maintain control, so I ordered the transfer of two officials. Now, Mangaluru district is under control. This achievement too belongs to our own officers and staff — they are not from another world; they are ours. Therefore, if you resolve to do it, everything is possible. Prove it through your work,” the Chief Minister urged.
“In the same way, it is possible for you to curb the menace of drugs across the entire state. If you succeed, the prestige of the Karnataka Police will rise to international standards,” he added.
“Some police personnel are involved with real estate operators and drug networks. It is within your power to nip rowdy elements in the bud. The fear of the police has diminished in the criminal world. Ask yourselves why this has happened — you know the answer,” Siddaramaiah said, appealing to the conscience of police officers and staff.
“You know who sells drugs, who brings them in, and who the agents in this network are. Make Karnataka a ‘Drugs-Free State’ at the earliest. Achieve it and show results,” he urged.
“The design of the peak cap released today was chosen by me personally. We have replaced the model that was in use since 1956 –nearly 70 years. Now, both officers and personnel will have a uniform cap design. I hope this change will boost your confidence,” the Chief Minister said.
“It’s not just the cap that should change — your performance should also improve,” he added.
The Chief Minister lauded the police department’s efficiency, saying, “The government earns a good name because of the police department’s dedication. The India Justice Report ranking Karnataka Police as number one in the country has enhanced the state’s prestige.”
Crime
Bengal assault case: Daughter of arrested BJP leader files counter complaint claiming molestation

Kolkata, Oct 28: After BJP leader Rakesh Singh and his children were arrested in connection with an assault case in West Bengal, his minor daughter on Tuesday filed a counter-complaint of molestation against the son of the flat owner, on whose complaint her father was held.
The police said flat owner Chandu Khan’s son has been arrested, based on a complaint lodged by the BJP leader’s daughter.
Kasba Police said that all the arrested will be produced in court later in the day, where police custody of the accused will be sought.
According to sources, the police are investigating whether Rakesh Singh’s minor daughter also had any role in the incident on Monday.
“We have received a counter-complaint today. The BJP leader’s daughter has made the complaint. The accused has been arrested on charges of molestation. We are investigating both incidents. Separate cases have been registered. Investigation is on,” said a senior officer of Kolkata Police.
Kolkata Police arrested Rakesh Singh and his son on charges of going on a rampage inside a housing complex in the Kasba area of Kolkata on Monday.
The police had also detained the minor daughter of the BJP leader over the same charge.
According to flat owner Chandu Khan’s son Rajarshi Khan, “Rakesh Singh has a flat on the fourth floor. He has forcibly occupied our flat on the third floor. He has kept his belongings there. I have repeatedly asked him to remove the belongings. But, he did not remove them. We were taking the workers today and putting their belongings down because we were paying rent. Then eight to nine people came and beat my father and brother. They had firearms in their hands. They beat them with gun butts. My father had to be admitted to the hospital. They also attacked me with a knife.”
However, the daughter has now filed a molestation case against the son of the flat owner.
In September, Rakesh Singh was arrested for vandalism at the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) office in central Kolkata. Later, he was released on bail.
Crime
Bengal: Smuggler arrested; gold valued more than Rs 2.45 crore seized

Kolkata, Oct 28: The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled a major gold smuggling attempt across the Indo-Bangladesh Border by arresting a smuggler and seizing gold worth more than Rs 2.45 crore from him in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal.
A senior BSF official stated that troops of the 145 Bn BSF, South Bengal Frontier, posted at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Petrapole received intelligence inputs indicating an attempt to smuggle gold from Bangladesh into India and were maintaining a close watch on the movement.
“A BSF vehicle checking party intercepted an inbound empty truck entering India from Benapole, Bangladesh. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of two green packets that contained eight gold pieces,” he said.
The official stated that the packets contained six gold bars and two biscuits, with a total weight of 1,974.540 grams of gold.
“The gold was valued at nearly Rs 2,45,79,073.90. During questioning, the driver of the vehicle confessed that he had agreed to transport the consignment across the border in his truck for money,” he said.
He further pointed out that the smuggler, along with his truck and the gold, has been handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal action.
The official said that the BSF continues its unwavering commitment to preventing cross-border crimes along the India-Bangladesh border.
“This operation once again underscores the alertness and operational excellence of BSF troops deployed at ICP Petrapole. We have strengthened our intelligence network, and there is complete coordination between all branches, hence the successes,” he added.
The official said that the BSF’s South Bengal Frontier has made a series of gold seizures over the last few weeks, adding that several smugglers have been apprehended and vital information gathered regarding the networks operating along the border.
“While applauding the effort of the troops, the official said that they remain committed to protecting the border and stopping all kinds of smuggling,” he said.
He urged residents of border areas once again to report any information regarding gold smuggling or other unlawful activities to the Seema Sathi Helpline Number 14419.
They can also send text or voice messages to the WhatsApp number 9903472227. Those providing credible information would be suitably rewarded and their identity would be kept confidential, he said.
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