Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed plans to utilize data-driven tools and artificial intelligence to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. He highlighted collaborations with institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology to develop AI tools that can distinguish between legal residents and undocumented individuals in the city. Once testing is finalized, these tools will be put into operation.
Fadnavis also announced a significant initiative against narcotics, with a specific emphasis on educational institutions. The state’s Director General of Police is formulating a fresh strategy to maintain drug-free campuses throughout Maharashtra. Speaking to the press post the bi-annual state police officers’ conference in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis, who oversees the Home Department, outlined a detailed security roadmap for the state. This plan includes combating Naxalism, integrating AI in policing, and intensifying efforts against drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the government aims to digitize the legal process entirely within six months, as per Fadnavis. The Director General of Police has been tasked with this transformation, ensuring a seamless workflow from filing First Information Reports to submitting chargesheets. Blockchain technology will be employed to safeguard evidence integrity. Additionally, the Criminal Investigation Department will leverage AI tools to scrutinize cases from the past four to five years with low conviction rates, aiming to boost the state’s conviction rate from 50% to 95%.
CM Fadnavis commended the Maharashtra Police for their persistent endeavors in nearly eradicating Naxalism from the state. He honored the 244 police personnel who sacrificed their lives in this cause. As a gesture of appreciation, Fadnavis announced a special C-60 medal for all personnel serving a minimum of three years in the elite C-60 anti-Naxal force. He emphasized that the state’s achievements align with the national objective set by PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate Naxalism nationwide.
To enhance accountability, a monthly grading system for police districts will be introduced, Fadnavis stated. Districts surpassing the state average will receive monthly awards from the Director General of Police, while those below average will be closely monitored and given corrective targets. The conference also addressed road safety concerns, with plans to replicate successful models from Nagpur and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on major highways to reduce accidents by 30%. Discussions also touched on cyber security, communal harmony, and police welfare.
