Civic police force to tackle encroachment
The Maharashtra government is planning to set up a “civic police force” to deal with the menace of illegal constructions in urban areas, the Bombay High Court was informed on Wednesday.
An affidavit filed by Manu Kumar Shrivastav, secretary, urban development, says that the government is examining feasibility of setting up a 4-tier institutional framework, which will consist of the civic police. However, the Bombay High Court, which is currently dealing with three PILs on rampant unauthorised construction in and around Vasai in neighbouring Thane district, was not happy with the reply saying they were same old proposals.
The affidavit said regular cops would be deputed for this purpose. Besides, the government is contemplating setting up independent police stations in all cities where cases of encroachment will be registered, and special courts at the district level to try such cases. Relevant Acts would be amended to make officers accountable for encroachments. Our Political Bureau