Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil today asked police to deal strictly with chain snatchers without fearing any consequences while doing their job.
"Do not worry about any criticism from members of the public or human rights activists but crush them (chain snatchers)", Patil said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a function held to hand over residential quarters to police personnel and stolen jewellery, estimated to worth Rs 3 crore, recovered from criminals to complainants.
"Take action depending on circumstances and do not hesitate in using force if the life of the victim is in danger from chain-snatchers", the home minister added.
In a bid to curb chain snatching, Mumbai police have already invoked stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) against culprits.
Patil today handed over the keys of tenements to 260 policemen.
The tenements are located in a 13-storey highrise, constructed at the cost of Rs 47 crore.
Patil expressed the need to consider police housing in town planning exercise itself.
The home minister said the CIDCO could utilise surplus fund of Rs 7,500 crore for raising infrastructure like housing for police force.
Thane Police Commissioner K P Raghuvanshi, Maharashtra Housing and Development Corporation MD Pravin Dixit, Guaridan Minister Ganesh Naik, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Vasant Davkhare were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
