News Reporter

THE Union Home Ministry has laid down clear rules to be implemented by Enforcement Agencies to allow smooth transportation of essential goods during lockdwon period. Notwithstanding the orders, the agencies have launched crackdown against those who are exempted from the list of prohibited items. Observing this gross violation of rules of Union Home Ministry, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Highway Police Vinay Korgaonkar has come down heavily on Police Unit Commanders and said that essential goods movement was disturbed due to the action causing shortage of essential items in the country. The ADG has issued a nine-point advisory to Police Units in Maharashtra and ordered them to follow the order in letter and spirit. ADG Korgankar, in the notification, said that trucks transporting essential goods were not being allowed for no reason. “Passes are not being issued to the labourers working at companies involved in manufacturing of essential goods,” he observed. “If one ...

Akola SP Amogh Gaonkar A wave of disgruntlement has gripped the Maharashtra Police after a Police Inspector (PI) in Akola district alleged use of foul words by Superintendent of Police (SP) Akola Amogh Gaonkar during official meetings. PI Suresh Naiknawre has addressed a full page letter to Inspector General of Police (IGP), Amravati Range, wherein he mentioned about being gripped by suicidal thoughts due to irrational behaviour of SP Gaonkar. As per the letter a copy of which has gone viral on social media, SP Gaonkar repeatedly used to abuse PI Naiknawre since the former took the charge of Akola district. The 52-year-old PI said that he had served in the police department for last 31 years but was never been treated in such a shabby manner. The officer also mentioned about suffering from high blood pressure and such continuos abuses on part of SP is adding more to health problems. "Although the field force is performing duties quite well even during the outbreak of co...

MAHARASHTRA police on Friday issued an advisory to all police units to issue travel passes to needy persons. The decision has come as a major relief to thousands of citizens who are stranded at places in the State after enforcement of lockdown from March 24. The order also directed police officials not to stop goods vehicles and ensure their smooth movement. Special Inspector General of Police (Spl IGP), Milind Bharambe, issued the order after observing surge in demand for on-line passes at the office of Director General of Police (DGP). “Lockdown has been enforced in the State to contain the spread of novel coronavirus and movement of people has been barred during the lockdown period. Therefore, many persons are contacting office of DGP Maharashtra to get emergency passes for travel. It was observed that demand for such passes is increasing rapidly. Hence, the issue was discussed in the top level meeting and sorted out,” stated the order. IGP Bharambe further ordered concerned S...

Police personnel on deputation to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) are now being drafted for regular duties with uniformed personnel as Maharashtra Police gears up to face the onslaught of novel coronavirus in the State. Maharashtra Police move comes as the current manpower is falling short in coping up with increasing demand for cops in the stepping-up fight against COVID-19.  Director General of Police (DGP) Subhodh Jaiswal issued an order directing CID (Crime), ACB and Protection of Human Rights (PCR), considered as non-regular units, to release personnel who are told to report to their respective police units immediately. A police official said that the additional manpower is required to maintain law and order in the State amid increasing number of asymtomatic and positive patients. Staff of these special units are appointed on deputation from State police. The police staff would be deployed in the state for manning bandobast, inf...

EVEN as the city fights a pitched battle against novel coronavirus (Covid-19), it has recorded a positive news on another front. There is a drastic reduction in crime cases in the last two months. As against 134 crimes reported in last week of January, Nagpur witnessed just 39 crimes during the lockdown period of last week of March as the criminals are also scared of the deadly coronavirus. Joint Commissioner of Police (Joint CP) Ravindra Kadam said that the substantial drop in the crime was result of stricter implementation of lockdown. “The criminals are not even daring to come out from the home as the police have blocked the movement of vehicles,” Kadam said. Statistics of crime reported at Nagpur from January 24 to 31 and March 24 to 31 of Nagpur Police show huge drop in theft cases during lockdown period enforced by the government to contain spread of the virus. Total crime dropped by 70.89 per cent during the lockdown as compared to January last week. As against 53 thef...

Maharashtra Cyber Police has registered 113 cases against people who spread fake news and hate speech in the state so far during the lockdown period. At least 13 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in the last 24 hours, informed a press release of Maharashtra Cyber. A total of 15 offences were registered by Beed police, followed by 11 by Pune Rural, nine by Mumbai, seven each at Satara and Jalgaon, six at Nasik rural, four each at Nagpur city, Nasik city, Thane City, Nanded, three each at Gondia, Bhandara Ratnagiri, Jalna, two each at Parbhani, Amravati, Nandaurbar and one each at Navi Mumbai and Latur.  In Beed district, the accused have circulated social media posts on WhatsApp and Fecebook to damage communal harmony. An offence was registered at Shivaji Ngar police station in the district recently for posting a derogatory message against a community on Facebook.  Superintendent of Police, Maharashtra Cyber, Dr. Balsingh Rajput said, “We are taking ve...

Amid outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maharashtra, the State government on Tuesday said that the police can decide not to conduct inquest after the death of a suspected coronavirus patient at hospital. A Government Resolution issued by Deputy Secretary Shirish Mohod stated that as the doctors and paramedical staff as well as police personnel can contract coronavirus infection during the inquest procedure, this waiver was being granted.  In Maharashtra, the number of coronavirus cases in the state crossed 1,000 on Tuesday, while 64 persons have died. Inquest Panchanama is an inquiry by a coroner's court into the cause of a death. Under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code, it is mandatory for the police to conduct inquest in the case of unnatural death after receiving report from the doctor.  But in view of the present situation, there is fear that doctors, nurses and police personnel may contract the infection during inquest (which can involve autopsy)...

HOME Minister Anil Deshmukh’s ‘call’ to Nagpur Police for sharing details of police personnel who are deployed in the field for implementation of lockdown is going ‘unanswered’. The local police officers have not yet compiled information of the bandobast duty staff with Nagpur Police Commissionerate which prompted DCP Headquarters Vikram Sali to flash a reminder to the lethargic officers for immediate compilation of data. Sources informed that office of Home Minister Deshmukh wrote a letter to Nagpur Police Commissionerate to share the information of police personnel who are on the bandobast duty, including their name, buckle no, wife’s name and mobile number. The office of DCP HQ Napgur Police had then sent letters to in-charges of all police stations and other branches directing them to immediately furnish the information of 10 constabulary staff who are deployed for bandobast duties of lockdown. However, many Police Inspectors had not taken the instructions seriously which pro...

The Maharashtra Police, till Wednesday evening, registered 27,432 First Investigation Reports (FIRs) against thousands of people for violating the lockdown orders. Of them, 4,535 offences were registered in the Vidarbha region including massive 1,999 in Nagpur Police Commissionerate alone.  Law and Order (L&O) Department of State police issued the statistics on Wednesday evening. Besides registering massive number of offences for violation of lockdown, the police have booked 438 persons for violating quarantine measures. Shockingly, a total of 60 policemen were attacked across the state while performing duty and 161 persons were arrested for the offences. Two policemen were infected in the State while saving the citizens from coronavirus infection and they are placed under quarantine.  Similarly, the police have registered 977 offences for illegal transportation of various goods including liquor. A total of 1,886 persons were arrested and massive 12,420 vehicles we...

While fighting against novel coronavirus, the state machinery facing new challenge of sudden spurt in thefts at liquor shops and beer bars which are locked from March 18 after government ordered lockdown. Within 48 hours, four such cases were reported in the city and district prompting police to intensify patrolling near liquor shops.  Inspector of State Excises Department Raosaheb Kore informed that four cases were reported within 48 hours in which the thieves decamped with liquor more than one lakh in each case. First case was reported at Suvidha Bar and Restaurant in Sadar area in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. The intruder decamped with bottles of whiskey and rum collectivelly worth Rs 1.5 lakh, he said and added that two persons have been apprehended for the crime.  Another incident was reported in MIDC police station area in which country liquor worth Rs 73,000 stolen from the shop. A police official said that the theft took place between March 18 and...

As the fight against coronavirus continue in the State, the Nagpur Police on Wednesday extended enforcement of Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) till April 14. Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Kadam has issued an order prohibiting the assembly of four or more people in the city. According to the law, every member of such 'unlawful assembly' can be booked for engaging in rioting. A press release of City Police informed that as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus, an order prohibiting assembly of four or more people has been issued. As per the order, social, political, cultural, religious gathering can not be conducted in the city. All police stations were also ordered to do not give permission for any such programme using powers under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure Act (CrPC).  The order shall remain in force from 00.01 hrs of April 1, 2020  to 24.00 hrs of April 14, 2020, the press released stated. Every ...

Joint team of Nagpur Police and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) picked 54 attendees of Markaz Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin at Delhi this month and put them under quarantine at MLA Hostel. Blood samples of these persons were sent to hospital for coronavirus test.  Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe in his video address informed that many persons from the city had gone to Nizamuddin in Delhi to attend the gathering. “We reached out to 54 such persons and they are now under quarantine at MLA hostel,” he said. The administration suspect that apart from these, many citizens must have gone to Delhi to attend the event. “If anyone noticing symptoms of coronavirus, they should immediately contact NMC to get immediate treatment,” he stressed.   Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Special Branch Shweta Khedkar informed ‘The Hitavada’ that these persons were picked from the jurisdictions of 22 police stations. She also urged people to reach out the administration for medical...

AFTER massive spread of coronavirus among the attendees of Markaz Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin at Delhi, Maharashtra Government launched a hunt to identify persons from the State who had gone to the annual gathering. Nagpur police have received a list of 60 attendees who had gone to the congregation, according to sources. Joint Commissioner of Police (Joint CP) Ravindra Kadam informed that the police and other departments are working together to trace the attendees. “They would be taken for the coronavirus test as preventive measure,” he said. The Union Home Ministry has alerted all States to identify the attendees. A list of suspected attendees were also sent to Maharashtra Government. Office of Director General of Police (DGP) Maharashtra has forwarded list of attendees to police units with a list of dos and don’ts, claimed sources.  Nagpur Police have received names of 60 persons from city who had gone to the congregation. However, the authorities are suspecting that th...

TO DEAL with the Coronavirus pandemic in the State, the district administration has decided to turn the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) into specialised hospital for COVID-19 infected patients. Patients in all wards at the biggest hospital in Vidarbha would be shifted to IGGMCH (Mayo) and other hospitals to avail 1,500 beds for Coronavirus patients. Guardian Minister Dr. Nitin Raut informed ‘The Hitavada’ that a meeting was held with senior doctors of GMCH on Monday at the office Divisional Commissioner. “As we are fighting a biological war against outbreak of Coronavirus, this is an important step to provide facilities to patients,” he said. The health authorities have been instructed to create 100-bedded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) unit that would provide emergency services to the patients. Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar told ‘The Hitavada’ that a total of 1500 beds of GMCH would be acquired for treatment of COVID-19 patients. At first phase, 100 beds would b...

In a major breakthrough, Tehsil police have arrested notorious goon Sheikh Wasim alias Chira Sheikh Afzal, a resident of Shanti Nagar, in connection with the gang war that was erupted on last Sunday in Maskasath area. The police have seized a pistol and two live cartridges from his possession that he used for firing shot at a person during the gang war.   More than 25 members of Wasim Chira gang and 10 members of his rival gang were charged by Tehsil police on the charges of attempt to murder by firing shot at a person and creating ruckus in the area.  Wasim Chira is having 23 offences registered against him at Lakadganj police station including two murder cases, attempts to murders, robberies and hurt.   After taking reins of Tehsil police station, Senior Police Inspector Jayesh Bhandarkar took it as challenge to arrest Wasim Chira. The goon was arrested by the police acting on a tip-off.  The notorious goons went on rampage in Maskasath area late Sunday n...

TOP cop of Maharashtra Highway Police has ordered suspension of the use of breathanalyser tests to check drunken driving across the state. The decisions has been taken in view of the coronavirus outbreak in the State. Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Maharashtra Highway Police, Vinay Korgaonkar, on Monday issued a circular addressing all police units in the State. “Outbreak of coronavirus has been reported in the State. To contain the spread of the virus, the police personnel need to take precautionary measures accordingly. Hence, policemen in traffic police of all police units should not conduct breathanalyser tests for alcohol consumption by motorists,” stated ADG Korgaonkar in the circular issued. While talking to ‘The Hitavada’, ADG Korgaonkar informed that the decision was taken to prevent further spread of ongoing N CoVid-19 (corona) infection. “As the government is taking enormous precautions to contain spread of the virus, the police personnel are vulnerable to...

ALARMED by the growing incidents of smuggling of birds and wild animals in the garb of transport of chicken consignment in trains, Director General of Railway Protection Force Service (DG RPFS) has directed all units to physically check every consignment and detect false declarations. DG RPFS Arun Kumar laid down new guidelines for the force to prevent illegal transportation of wildlife in the national transporter. “Vulnerable trains for illegal carriage of wildlife should be identified and all out efforts should be made with intensive and sustained action,” stated DGP Kumar. “Railway has been used for illegal transportation of wildlife. RPFS made several recoveries of such wildlife and handed them over to concerned agencies,” he stated in his recently issued circular to all RPFS units across the country. In his guidelines, Arun Kumar stated that no consignment of birds or any wild animals including rabbit should be accepted unless the consigner and consignee furnish a joint ...