A wave of disgruntlement gripped the Quick Response Teams (QRT) of Maharashtra Police as only personnel who served in QRT Mumbai have been selected for ‘Distinguished Service Medals’. The State Police have nine specialised units of QRTs at Mumbai, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Solapur and Nanded. However, Home Department favoured personnel of only Mumbai’s QRT which is showing partisan attitude at the top level, opined a police official.

 

The official said that the medals were announced on the basis of a Government Resolution (GR) published on January 16, 2020 which said that “Officers and men of ‘only’ Mumbai Police’s QRT would be honoured with ‘Distinguished Service Medals’ on the lines of ‘Force One’, a specialised counter terrorism unit. The GR had officially ignored the contribution of remaining eight QRT units operating across the State and dealing with terrorists and anti-social elements, just like Mumbai’s QRT, the official said and added that State Home Department favoured personnel of only Mumbai’s QRT. According to the GR, Mumbai QRT personnel are provided rigorous physical training. Similarly, they are getting training in various weapons, first-aid, rappelling-slithering, Unarmed combat (UAC), recce, mock-drill, explosives and so on.

 

On the lines of State Government’s decision in 2013 of honouring personnel of ‘Force One’ with the medal, the State Government has decided to honour officers and men of Mumbai QRT with ‘Distinguished Service Medal’ for their meritorious service. As per the GR, eight officers and 48 men of QRT Mumbai will be selected for the medal every year. It may be mentioned that QRT Nagpur was praised by the National Security Guard (NSG) during a mock-drill at Eternity Mall in 2016-17. The officials of NSG had asked their men to watch and follow a mock-drill of a terrorist attack conducted by the Nagpur QRT during the joint exercise. The official further said that training programmes and operational guidelines for QRT Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra are the same. Then why does the State favour only the QRT of Mumbai Police?, he asked. Another official who had served in QRT Nagpur said that officials at the Home Department seem to have forgotten our contribution and dedication for maintaining law and order.

 

The Nagpur QRT are protecting vital installations including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh' Headquarters here day and night. Our men are also burning our blood and sweat in the service of state. However, the medals will be given only to the QRT Mumbai. This would definitely dent morale of the force, the officer stressed. He further stated that all officers and men working in QRTs across the State were selected on the same criteria and given the same training as per the GR of the Government of Maharashtra published in August 2009. Such favouritism does not serve the purpose of motivating the performing men all over the State, he said and added that the DGP office should immediately intervene into the matter and write the Home Department to rectify the GR.