This is an interview of R. R. Patil from 'Times of India' , published last week. The Interviewer didn't have the balls to ask him questions in the face. I felt it was more of an interview to protect the Minister . I strongly believe that there was dereliction in executing his duties and it needs to be investigated. He was unable to keep the Police force ready, prepared and engaged for such a situation. Even now the police force cannot handle even a simple bomb blast, forget a fidayeen attack. The minister is answerable. So I have posted some in-line questions in blue. If some day somebody could ask the minister the same questions I would be really grateful.
‘There was no dereliction of duty on my part’
Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN
Fifty-three-year-old senior NCP leader R R Patil is not only back in the cabinet, but his political mentor, Sharad Pawar has again rewarded him with the home department. Post 26\11, with the Democratic Front government at the receiving end for inept handling of the situation, Patil, then deputy chief minister, quit the cabinet on moral grounds. In an exclusive interview to TOI, Patil spoke at length on his agenda, preparedness of the law enforcing agencies to tackle attacks and coordination between state and central intelligence agencies. Excerpts:
Q A month after the worst teror attack on the city, you quit the cabinet. What prompted the step?
A I resigned on moral grounds. My intention was to tell the people of Maharashtra we are accountable, we are alive to their feelings.
My Q. Where you not pushed out so that they have something to show to the people?
Q A year later, you are not only back in the cabinet, but you have been entrusted with the home portfolio. How you justify this gesture of NCP president Sharad Pawar? Is the period of accountability over? A There was no dereliction of duty on my part. Then no one visualised that terrorists will enter Mumbai from the sea, since so far, most terrorists had chosen Jammu-Kashmir to enter India. I think it’s a fresh opportunity for me to serve the people. We have learnt lessons from the past.
My Q. Did you show the same interest in stopping terror attack as in shutting down those dance bars and pushing a lot of girls into prostitution ?
My Q. Did you get enough funds to get proper arms and armours for the police force, and ensure they got only quality check material?
My Q. Why did you not order an investigation on all the top cops in the role they did on that night?
My Q. Was there any dereliction of duty by brave men like Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar or Tukaram Ombale? Why are you getting rewarded and giving an 100 mm smile while their families are sobbing even today? Even before the first anniversay your are back as home misister, what happens to accountability?
Q What’s your agenda now ?
A We have modernised our police force. Now there is more manpower and weapons. Funds will not a problem. My top priority is to restore the confidence of the people and enhance the morale of the law-enforcing agencies. Intelligence reports received from the Centre are dealt with properly at higher levels. Senior IPS officials have been instructed to ensure even minor information is taken seriously.
My Q. Really, The SRPF men are making slums out of Gateway of India, they sleep on the road and have to wake up to bath at 4.00 am while you are fast snoring on your exchequer paid double bed, what about that? Those cops have to fear speeding cars more than bullets from terrorists. What say mate? You don't believe me, check out the same copy of Times of India that printed the interview.
Q Kavita Karkare, widow of Hemant Karkare, who was killed in the attack on November 26, has launched a frontal attack on the government...
A I have read her statements in a section of the media. From preliminary reports, it appears the bulletproof jacket used by Hemant Karkare is missing from the J J Hospital. It’s a serious matter. I have asked the crime branch to
probe the entire episode.
My Q. Missing? or was it made missing. Does it not become your responsibility to see justice is served as the state's home minister?
Q Was there a dereliction of duty at any level, in handling the terrorist attack ?
A I don’t think so. No one in the government, both at the Centre and state, visualised terrorists will attack via the sea route. But now, while the Coast Guard has been put on maximum alert, establishments on the sea shore have been asked to be more vigilant.
My Q. Actually I don't have any question. I just wanna say. Only dereliction of duty seems to be from the people who are electing you again and again. what a Shame
Q After the attack, you are back in home, then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is now a Union minister, officials dealing with the situation have been rewarded with plum posts. Is accountability over ?
A Prima facie, it appears we were unable to visualise the magnitude of the terror attack. Under such circumstances, it will be wrong to single out an individual for dereliction of duty.
My Q. Really . so two questions, Since a sea route attack has happened once can you assure that there will be no more sea route attacks? Secondly, now if somebody carries out an Ariel attack are you going to say, this is the first time and we could not visualise? Just a tip: If our ancestors thought the same way and lacked visualisation our civilization would not have reached here. So instead of taking Hindi lessons take some visualization lessons. for a better India.
Many people have told me that R. R. Patil is the cleanest man in the current government. May be yes. But he failed in his duty, and the cost we paid was dear. 58 lives, including some brave sons of this nation, who could have served this nation more and better. Not just R. R. Patil, but lots of politicians and policemen and officers of both state and national government. If Mumbai police or the CBI investigates this, we will never know the actual facts as they or their masters have a stake.
We need some other capable state or the judiciary itself to investigate and make people accountable. If there is another 26/11, I believe it will be the greatest sin we will be committing to our elder and future generations. Our politicians have a larger say in this. Will they for once love our country? Time will not tell, it will just record and it cannot be reversed.
Jai Hind
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