EC order on transfers may affect poll work, police fear

“The officers who were transferred out had made elaborate plans, listed out the sensitive areas and even suggested preventive measures for a fair and peaceful election. Now the newly posted officer has to start anew,” remarked a DCP, preferring anonymity.

Refusing to comment on the issue, Joint Commissioner ofPolice (law and order) P S Pasricha, however, admitted that the transfers would affect the functioning of the police in the sensitive areas. The police officials felt while north-east presents an additional problem due to its vast area, the situation with regard to Dalit and Muslim sensitivity in the constituency needs careful handling which can be done only by officers conversant with all the facts.

Segments of this constituency witnessed major atrocities during the riots and memories of the police firing in which 11 Dalits were killed last year are still fresh in the minds of the people. The two main contenders here are Pramod Mahajan (BJP) and Gurudas Kamat (Congress). The Chhota Rajan and Arun Gawli gangs have been flexing their muscles. The Gawli gang has killed a Kanjurmarg landlord on January 29 and residents fear that the gangwar might spill out during the polls.

The constituency has seen no less than four DCPs in less than six months. After the Ramabai incident, in zone IV Sanjay Barve wasreplaced by Srirao who was soon transferred to Narcotic Cell with Dalgit Bharthi taking his place. However, Bharthi said the officers would take up the challenge.“It is only the deputy commissioner who has been changed. The other officers are there to ensure fair polling,” he said.

Similarly, in the sensitive Zone V, considered a stronghold of underworld gangster Chhota Rajan, DCP S S Kemkar hitherto the Dy Director DTS at Daund, has been ordered to take charge on February 13.

The north-west, which is Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s home constituency, along with segments of north-east took the major brunt during the 1992-93 riots. A former police officer A A Khan, who played a controversial role during the riots, is pitted against Sena candidate Madhukar Sarpotdar who was held under NSA for possessing illegal weapons during these riots. Khan and the sena had come into conflict on more than one occasion at the time.

According to senior police officers, the north west constituency is considered abreeding ground for members of underworld with most of the top businessmen, film stars and builders. The Chhota Shakeel outfit is very active in the area, confirmed officers. There have been five underworld killing in less than 45 days sending a new wave of fear among Mumbaiites.