Firearms for city constables on night duty

For the first time, police constables patrolling Mumbai’s streets at night will carry small firearms along with their batons.

For the first time, police constables patrolling Mumbai’s streets at night will carry small firearms along with their batons.

HT Image

The Mumbai police took this decision in an emergency meeting days after armed robbers assaulted two police constables at Ghatkopar.

“We are going to provide small arms to at least 4,000 constables who are deployed on patrolling duty across the city every night,” joint commissioner of police (law and order) Rajnish Seth told HT on Sunday.

Constables Santosh Gaikwad and Vikas Rajpure from Pant Nagar police station were attacked by four armed robbers who were trying to flee after looting a jewellery shop in the area early on Thursday morning.

While Rajpure, who was hit with a rod, fractured his arm, Gaikwad managed to dodge a bullet. The duo was carrying only batons.