More than 1,000 posts vacant in key police stations of port zone

More than 1,000 posts are vacant in the two key police stations under the port zone, a senior Mumbai police official said.

More than 1,000 posts are vacant in the two key police stations under the port zone, a senior Mumbai police official said.

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The Yellow Gate police station and the Mumbai Sagari police station are badly under-staffed, despite the focus on coastal security following the 26/11 attacks nearly three-and-a-half years ago.

“More than 100 posts were sanctioned by the state recently, but there is still a demand for more than 1,000 more,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

Following the attacks, the state government had approved most of the demands of the Mumbai police concerning coastal security, and this includes recruiting nearly 1,400 policemen, he said.

The port zone has four police stations under its jurisdiction: Wadala, Yellow Gate, Sewree and Mumbai Sagari.

The Yellow Gate station requires more than 400 men, while the Mumbai Sagari police station has a shortfall of 600. The combined strength of both police stations is just over 300 at the moment, the official added.

“Filling up internal posts is an internal matter for the Mumbai police. The home ministry has cleared the proposals sent by police,” the official said.

Joint commissioner of police, law and order, Rajnish Seth told HT that the vacancy figures needed to be checked, and added he would not comment any further on the issue.

Coastal policing has been in focus as terrorists had entered Mumbai from the sea during the 26/11 attacks.