In a setback to what former home minister R R Patil has envisioned for Mira Road, local land mafia and illegal businesses are making a comeback with a vengeance, say police sources.
The suburb had been a cause of concern for Patil three years ago. Rampant land grabbing, indomitable land mafia and illegal businesses thrived as the police turned a blind eye.
That’s when Patil sought to combat the problem by posting only young IPS officers at Mira Road Police Subdivision. The post has traditionally been occupied by promotee officers who would work in the area all through their service terms and ultimately build relations with criminal elements. They would later exploit each other symbiotically, Patil had realised.
Patil’s plan worked well initially. After IPS officer Sharda Nikam was posted to the area three years ago, the region witnessed a considerable decrease in crime. IPS officer Maithili Jha, who was appointed after Nikam, had also managed to maintain a similar control over criminal elements.
But last week things underwent a sea change. Less than eight months after her posting, Maharashtra Home Department shunted Jha out and posted her to Javhar subdivision of Thane rural district. A promotee officer, who is on the verge of retirement, has taken her place.
‘Officers pay huge sums for Mira Road posting’
“The purpose of posting young IPS officers was to stop police from falling prey to the local mafia. By transferring Jha before she completed her term, the government is sending a signal that it has succumbed to the pressure from vested interests,” said an IPS official who did not wish to be named.
Though Mira Road falls under the jurisdiction of Thane rural police, it is situated far from the district headquarters where the chief is posted, making it difficult for the officer to keep a check on the area.
“Mira Road is a hub of flesh trade and other illegal businesses. None of them can flourish without the tacit support of police. Officers are therefore always ready to pay huge sums to get be posting there,” said a senior IPS officer who was once the district police chief there.
“Patil realised that it was essential to post someone who would not succumb to the bad elements easily. Hence, it was decided to post probationary IPS officers,” said another official. Sources said IPS officers are shunted out prematurely only if they land in a controversy. But in Jha’s case, her tenure was non-controversial, they added.
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