Special LawTo Deal With Gangsters Soon

A special law' would be enacted to deal with gangsters and gang-related crimes in Maharashtra, according to chief minister Manohar Joshi.

Joshi assured a delegation of businessmen, who called on him here yesterday to express concern over shooting incidents in the metropolis, that he would initiate steps to expedite the legislation.

The chief minister directed the police to take stringent measures to deal with extortion threats after the delegation members expressed the view that life had become risky for those conducting business in the metropolis.

The delegation was led by Mohan Gurnani and Mohammadali Patel of the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra, Kishore R Shah of Vyapari Suraksha Samiti, S M Shetty and Vishwanath Poojari of Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association.

It was also decided that informal committees would be formed at police stations and zonal level under deputy commissioners of police.

An apex level committee would also be constituted at the level of commissioner of police.

The city police commissioner Ronnie Mendonca, who was present, said this would provide a platform to the trading community to freely communicate with senior police officers and share information that could be useful in dealing effectively with extortionists and gangsters.