Ex-Maharashtra CM blames cops for 26/11 lapses

Mumbai, Dec 21 (ANI): Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said no action has been taken against officers responsible for the 26/11 terror attack lapses.

Just hours before the findings of the Ram Pradhan Committee that probed the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks was to be tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly, Deshmukh said that ministers took moral responsibility for the attacks and had resigned, but no action has been taken against officers.

Speaking to reporters here, he said: "Taking moral responsibility after 26/11, ministers resigned. That does not mean that we were responsible for the attacks. When there is public anger, the state government has to bear the brunt of it. But, I have never heard or read if any cop has been questioned in the 26/11 case."

According to sources, the report says the Mumbai Police initially responded to the terror attacks like any everyday law and order situation. The processing of intelligence inputs at the state level was mechanical and confused.

The report has criticized Mumbai Police for poor co-ordination and supervision, besides poor and inadequate infrastructure support.

The report also criticises former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor for poor leadership and admires the Director General of Police (DGP) for giving off his best despite the area being out of his jurisdiction.

The report praises Joint Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria for handling the police control room to the best of his ability.

The report also lashes out at the confusion over intelligence alerts, saying proper operational procedures were not followed. (ANI)