Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Friday
announced a new arms policy under which the police force will
be equipped with sophisticated weapons, even imported ones.
The policy, a revision of the earlier one initiated by
Home Minister R R Patil, seeks to equip police force with
modern pistols, assault rifles, sub machine guns, rocket
launchers, LMG and sniper rifles.
The government has made funds available on priority
basis for procuring arms and ammunition. Specific arms would
be imported, the minister said.
The Department would review the policy in three years.
The policy would also be applicable for state reserve police.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan recently made a proposal
of Rs 1,968 crore to the Central Government for modernisation
and upgrading of the state police force, and to help wipe out
terrorism and Maoism from the state.
Since the state's resources to counter these are
limited, Chavan had appealed to the Central Government to make
suitable budgetary provisions for the purpose.
PTI
First Published: Friday, June 04, 2010, 21:59