Nagpur cops' Naxal cell, anti-Bangladeshi migrant squads lying defunct

NAGPUR: The city police's special branch (SB), which is suffering due to acute disinterest among senior officials, seems to be in no position to fight potent threats from Naxals and illegal migrants. Besides a staff crunch, deputy commissioner of police (SB) Ramnath Pokale is learnt to be among the senior officials from Western Maharashtra who frequently proceed on leaves.
The SB's special Naxal cell, which is headed by an officer of assistant police inspector (API) rank, has only two personnel to support him in the city of more than 45 lakh population, and which is a hub for cadres of left wing terrorism. Several intelligence reports have underlined Naxal preference for Nagpur as shelter and stop over space while crossing into the guerrilla zones in Central India like Gadchiroli and Abujhmadh.
In the past, several top Naxal cadres have been arrested from Nagpur, including Murli alias Ashok Satya Reddy, who was secretary of North Gadchiroli-Gondia Balaghat division, and Arun Thomas Ferreira. The cops have also busted several Naxal dens in Nagpur. Naxal literature too was seized from police quarters in Ganeshpeth a couple of years ago.
A senior officer pointed out that SB's Naxal cell has been one of the most neglected subunits. Though central government's Intelligence Bureau (IB) and state's Anti-Naxal Operation (ANO) cell are among the agencies which keep vigilance on rebel activities, city police efforts have remained on paper. "The Naxal cell has been reduced to a farce," said the officer.
A section of city police top brass also sounded disappointed with DCP Pokale's attitude. "He has a tendency to opt for leave on different pretexts, which is hampering work," said a senior cop.
Apart from Naxal cell, city police squad to control illegal Bangladeshi migrants too is almost defunct since its setting up in June last year on an order from top cop KK Pathak. The squad headed by an inspector has eight personnel. CP Pathak had formed the squad following a confidential report from State Intelligence Department (SID).
The report had said that illegal Bangladeshis are sneaking into the city to work as labourers at kilns, factories, construction sites, garages and as drivers and cleaners. Illegal Bangladeshi women migrants are also working as domestic helps, and engage in prostitution.
The illegal Bangladeshi migrant squad was supposed to collect information and take deportation actions, but it has failed to make any impact.