To deal with illegal constructions and encroachment, Maharashtra home department has sanctioned a special police force for the neighbouring Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
An official from home department said a total of 106 personnel had been sanctioned for this force which would keep a tab on illegal structures and encroachments and demolish them.
“In 2009, the state cabinet first decided to have separate police stations to tackle illegal constructions after instances of illegal construction and encroachment rose, but in 2012 the then chief secretary decided to have a separate force under the commissionerates,” the official said.
He said the newly sanctioned police force will have a cell of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) too, to deal with buyers cheated by builders, for investigation, registration of offence and filing charge sheets.
“There will be 28 police personnel in the EOW cell, which will be headed by an assistant police inspector. Besides, there will be another 78 police personnel, including 28 women police officials whose work will be to demolish illegal structures,” the official said.
The squad will be headed by a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer.
“These police personnel will be under the administrative control of Navi Mumbai police commissioner. The NMMC has been told to make housing arrangements for the squad and also provide money for arms, helmets, plastic shields, vehicles and protective gear,” the official said.
