Click to play videoNew Delhi: The bulletproof jackets with Mumbai Police are not the perfect shield and cannot stop the bullet. Sources within Mumbai Police claim that the jackets failed a test in 2004 where they were fired upon by self-loading rifles and AK 47s. But they were still procured and issued to the force. Now Mumbai Police claim that the file relating to the bulletproof jackets has gone missing which points to a massive scam in their purchase. There have been allegations of large-scale corruption in the procurement of the bulletproof jackets which failed miserably during the 26/11 terror attack.
With the glaring and fatal weakness of the bulletproof jackets, one of which was used by slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 terror attacks, exposed, CNN-IBN grilled Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and asked him what his government was doing in the issue.
CNN-IBN: Sources within the police force say these jackets failed tests in 2004.
Ashok Chavan: I do understand what is the reason behind this. The entire issue has come up on the background of Assembly elections that are due in Maharashtra in October. These are wild allegations made by the Leader of Opposition. I even asked him if you have any evidence please show me. These are wild allegations. These purchases have not been made now. I think they go beyond 1992. On what basis are you saying there has been corruption in purchase of these bulletproof jackets? Let me first clarify there is nothing actually which is bulletproof. It all depends upon from what range a person is fired at. If I have an AK 47 and I fire n on a person from a close distance, I think no jacket will work.
CNN-IBN: The documentary proof lies with your government., it lies with the police. It is in the purchase file. Why don't you just ask the police to release the documentary proof?
Ashok Chavan: There are several files in the government. Before you make an allegation you prove it... give me a documentary evidence as to this is a malpractice. It is very easy to level allegations.
CNN-IBN: When any person files a RTI application he gets to see the documentary proof. But here it was denied.
Ashok Chavan: All the government documents manuals. There is a particular Act under the government under which to what extent you can store the documents. There are thousands of files in the government. After a period of five-six years the government is not required to keep them. What I have been informed by the department that since these files relate to prior to 1992, nothing has been kept. All have been disposed off. But at the same time if they want us to rebuild the file, I will ask them to see that whatever information is there is made available to the public. Whatever is purchased… there is a life for that. Anything you purchase - a jacket or equipment - there is life to that. I say that this because Assembly elections are coming in Maharashtra. That is why Opposition is making attempt to malign the government just to take political advantage out of the entire thing.
CNN-IBN: You have travelled widely and seen the bulletproof jackets used by different police force. Look at the jacket used by Hemant Karkare. It did not look like a bulletproof jacket and did not even fit on a senior police officer.
Ashok Chavan: I don't know what type of jacket Karkare was wearing I could just see it on TV. But what I understand Karkare died because of the bullet hitting his neck and head. From what I know Karkare had been hit on the head and neck... not on the bulletproof jacket which he was wearing. It is something I feel should be found out.
CNN-IBN: In fact the bulletproof jacket did not fit Hemant Karkare properly. The neck and entire chest was exposed. The police in the United States have bulletproof jackets that cover them up to the neck.
Ashok Chavan: The kind of attack in Mumbai was something which the police had never anticipated. The police in Maharashtra have been equipped to handle morchas, local law and order situations, thefts, burglaries and those kinds of issues. This was a proxy war which we had with Pakistan. Normally this kind of operation would have been handled by the Army but in this situation where we were taken unawares.... this sort of situation was not supposed to be handled by the police because the police never anticipated this type of attack. So I feel with this experience we have had enough money being given to the police, the necessary arrangements are being made to procure the latest equipment for the police, the weapons which are required. Never before in the history of Maharashtra was an attack of this magnitude experienced by the police.
CNN-IBN: You are saying you are going to arm the police. You are also saying that you are going to set an inquiry now as far as the procurement of 265 allegedly tainted jackets are concerned.
Ashok Chavan: I won't agree to this that these are bad quality jackets. Let them give me some evidence. It is very easy for someone to say some thing. Let's not demoralise our police on whom the task of protection Maharashtra and Mumbai lies. The RD Pradhan Committee has done its level best to find out what happened on 26/11, what are the lapses and what should be done. We will go on to the Action Taken Report. But these are baseless allegations. If you have something substantial please come out with that. I am open for any inquiry but I require something from your side. Opposition should come out with some documentary evidence. I am ready for an investigation.
CNN-IBN: Mumbai Police brought over 265 bulletproof jackets. This must have amounted to some crores. At least you can go to the firm and ask them what was the quality and where was it purchased. This can easily be done and given to the citizens.
Ashok Chavan: Do you have anything to say that this is substandard. X, Y or Z is not proper. What are the charges you want to want to level? Let me know first. I will get back to you on this.
CNN-IBN: You were talking about a force you don't want to demoralise buy back in 2004 samples of these vests were sent for trial at the firing range of state police forces. They fitted these into dummies and they failed all tests. I am sure this calls for introspection.
Ashok Chavan: Well I don't have information of these. If they have told the media why can't they tell me? I don't know what the source of your information is. But I am open if the police officers who have spoken to media tell the government. I as the Chief Minister of the state assure them that whatever sources they have got... we will maintain the confidentiality. If you are interested for the protection of Maharashtra Police and the people of Maharashtra please come out. Let's not do a blame game. If you are interested in the welfare of the people come out with it. We will face the situation and we will take care. We will see that people who have done anything are put behind the bars for this.
CNN-IBN: You are assuring us but you are not asking the police to come out with the file or find something as far as these bulletproof vests are concerned.
Ashok Chavan: I don't know what file Ramdas Kadam has been referring to. Let's talk about in terms of reference that this is substandard, this is not proper. Let's pinpoint what exactly has to be done. You can't have baseless issues just being discussed.
CNN-IBN: You have followed these issues very closely. Do you agree that there is a huge difference between the bulletproof vests that the NSG (National Security Guards) wears and what the Mumbai Police force wear.
Ashok Chavan: It all depends on the priorities. The Army must have something best. The Army may have probably something better that what the NSG has. NSG may have something better than what the police have. It depends on the scale of operation you are expected to handle. I don't think it is comparable.
CNN-IBN: But for a city like Mumbai which is the financial capital of India and among the fastest growing cities in the world… don't you feel that your SWAT team should also get the best equipment.
Ashok Chavan: I do agree. With the current scenario that we are seeing globally, with the terrorism issue, the changed scenario, the type of equipments that the terrorists are using, we should have the best.
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