Two special police teams headed by the deputy commissioner of police, Zone I and Zone II respectively, have been formed to look into mob lynching and violence in Navi Mumbai under a Supreme Court order.
The State government issued a Government Resolution (GR) to form a special squad exclusively to handle mob violence. “The main intention is to mainatin peace, law and order in the city. The team will conduct meetings at the most sensitive areas of the zone like villages in Uran, Nhava Sheva and Panvel taluka, and be in touch with the police patil in these areas. They will spread awareness on maintaining law and order and impart knowledge of sections that could land those involved in mob lynching or violence behind bars,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone II, Ashok Dudhe said.
The eight-member team will keep a watch on various organisations in the areas in their jurisdiction. “The team will first look into any untoward incident. Anyone found inciting violence or hatred which could lead to mob violence will also be booked as per the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code,” Sudhakar Pathare, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone II, said.
Each team will have an assistant commissioner of police, one police inspector, two assistant police inspectors and four staff. “They will book anyone found spreading rumours or fake news that could incite a mob,” Mr. Dudhe said.
Police are hopeful that mobs will be controlled better during a protest.
On July 25, during the Maratha morcha, a huge rasta roko staged at Kalamboli on Sion-Panvel highway had blocked the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for close to six hours. The Sion Panvel highway too was blocked at various places from Vashi to Kalamboli.
At Koparkhairane, around 100 vehicles were damaged, a police chowky and seven vehicles were burnt and a 19-year-old protestor was killed. “In the event of such protests, this team will play a major role in conducting meetings beforehand and educating people that violence will lead to severe action against them,” Mr. Pathare said.
The team will also inform people that when an accused is caught, he should be handed over to police, instead of mobs taking the law into their hands.