Mumbai, December 01: More than six months after Ram Pradhan Committee which probed the Mumbai police response to the 26/11 terror attack strongly recommended streamlining the functioning of Anti-Terrorist Squad, the force remains woefully short of men even today.
The Pradhan Committee gave its report on April 18 in which it noted that the structure of ATS and its operations are in a “somewhat confusing state”.
“Government should reiterate that normally all terrorist attack cases in Mumbai city as well as in rest of Maharashtra should be investigated by ATS alone unless otherwise decided,” the report said but the force seems ill-equipped to fulfil the duty recommended by the committee”, the report said.
The crack force at present has only 300 personnel, notwithstanding the strictures from the Bombay High Court this year for neglect by the government.
The cumulative strength of constables and head constables of ATS stands at 240 against the sanctioned strength of 730, according to figures accessed by PTI.
The strength of middle-level officers also appears no better. There is only one Superintendent of Police against against four sanctioned, three Assistant Commissioners of Police against nine and a mere 20 Inspectors against 50
–PTI