Maha govt acquires land for Force One base

Mumbai, Feb 8 (PTI) Maharashtra''s one-year-old eliteterror combat unit, Force One, formed after the 26/11 terrorattacks, would soon have its own building and base in suburbanGoregaon here, with the state government completing the landacquisition process.

"The state government has acquired over 60 acres of landand the structure would come up on the non-disputed area of 11acres. The work would start in April," an official from theHome Department today said.

Force One, which was formed on the lines of the NationalSecurity Guard (NSG) to fight possible terror attacks in thestate, was alloted over 90 acres of land at Aarey Milk Colony,Goregaon to construct a base and infrastructure facilities forthe squad.

However, the land got locked in a dispute with tribalsbelonging to Warli, Kathudi and Kokana communities living inthe area, derailing the acquisition.

Force One, with over 260 trained commandos, becameoperational nearly a year after the dastardly attacks. Thespecial unit, equipped with AK 47s, is currently based at theMumbai police building at Kalina.

Since its inception, the special unit has undergoneregular training sessions. Foreign security experts have alsobeen roped in for training the unit.