Maharashtra Home Minister Jayant Patil today said the state government has initiated the process to recruit 85 officers in a move to strengthen the intelligence department.


"We felt the need to further improve the intelligence department. Besides purchasing various equipment, we have begun the process of recruiting 85 direct officers," Patil said.


He was speaking at a ceremony held in the state police head quarters to hand over the appointment letters of Saraswat Co-Operative Bank Ltd to the kin of five policemen who laid down their lives fighting the terrorists during the November 26 terror attacks.


As a part of its social responsibility, the bank has handed over five appointment letters to the kin of policemen Tukaram Ombale, Bala Bhosale, Arun Chitte, Muralidhar Choudhary and Ambadas Pawar.
u00a0

Praising the steps initiated by Mumbai police in a quick session of time during the attacks, Patil said, "Despite no specific instructions, many policemen even those who were not on duty reached the places under attack and fought the terrorists." "We are proud of bravery displayed by the policemen.


They were not equipped with sophisticated weapons like terrorists had, but still they moved ahead and saved many lives," Patil.


"Many showed sympathy with the families of policemen who fell in duty line, but the bank has moved a step further and provided them jobs which is commendable," Patil said.
u00a0

On policeman Ombale, Patil said, "If Ombale would have not caught the highly armed Kasab (lone terrorist caught alive), we would have left with no clues. Such acts display how brave our policemen are," Patil said. On the shortage of cartridges at firing ranges in Mumbai and Maharashtra, Patil said, "A proposal have been moved in this regard and all necessary steps will be initiated to provide weapons and cartridges."


"We will also make it mandatory for policemen to practice in the firing range," Patil said. Replying to a question on Ashoka Chakra awards, Patil said, "The list recommending the awards to the policemen were forwarded to the Central Government and it will take final call on it."


On the reports that Vinita, widow of Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, was upset with the police, Patil said, "Former home secretary R D Pradhan is conducting an inquiry into the entire November 26 terror attacks.


Everything will be clear after the report is submitted. It is not appropriate to talk on it now." Eknath Thakur, chairman of the bank said that families of all those policemen who laid down their lives during the attacks were approached by them.


"However, going by the response we have appointed family members of five policemen. We are awaiting the response from other family members," he said. Family members of martyr policemen are happy with the jobs.


"This will certainly ensure us a regular source of income. My brother can also continue his school. We were completely blank on what to do after my father was killed," said Priyanka Chaudhary, daughter of constable Murlidhar Chaudhary.

u00a0