Author: J Dey
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 28, 2002
Introduction: Who Endorsed It? Home
Department sends circular to police, asks them to look at credentials of
SEO's
It's old news that there are several
Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens staying in Mumbai. But believe it or
not, more than 20 such people have managed to grab the posts of Special
Executive Officers (SEO) in the city.
Home Ministry has raised an alarm
and has asked the police how they were given clearance for the quasi-official
posts which allow them even to endorse documents required for government
procedures. Ironically, the SEOs are given the designation after verification
and police clearance.
The Maharashtra Home Department
in a circular 1701/70 dated May 15 ordered senior inspectors and public
relation officers attached to police stations in the city to ascertain
the credentials of SEOs. Here's how SEOs are appointed: Interested candidates
file an application with the government, along with their resume, de tailing
their social work after getting it endorsed by a minister. The application
is then referred to the local police station for verification and then
an identity card is issued.
Sources say that the authorities
were alarmed after some 20 cases were detected in the past few months.
Most of these SEOs were appointed at Kurla and Malvani, a predominantly
Bangladeshi colony. It appears that there have been major lapses on the
part of agencies who were supposed to check certificates of applicants
for the post of SEOs. "The vote-bank policy has taken precedence over national
security," a source remarked. Home Department's note comes in the wake
of fresh security threats and fears that some Pakistani Inter Service Intelligence
agents could have infiltrated the ranks of SEOs in Mumbai.
The police have taken the threat
seriously. A list is being prepared to verify the nationality and certificates
of all SEOs in the city, a senior police officer said.
Earlier, investigations conducted
by the Special Branch had revealed that illegal immigrants were found entering
the country from Bangaon outpost in 24 Parganas of West Bengal. They would
later fan out to other districts before reaching Mumbai. Suspects told
investigators that were entering India after nightfall, with the connivance
of some Border Security Force personnel guarding the border. A senior police
officer said that the racket was flourishing with the blessings of local
politicians in West Bengal. They are' provided with fabricated character
certificates and ration cards to help them gain entry to Mumbai, the officer
pointed out.
Police said that the racket is flourishing
in almost all the Bangladeshi colonies, particularly Reay Road, Dockyard
Road, Antop Hill and Cheeta Camp near Trombay.
