As per 2011 census, Thane district is one of the most populated districts of the state of Maharashtra in Konkan Division and also in the country with a population of 11,060,148 inhabitants. The headquarters of the district is the city of Thane.
Other major cities of the district are Navi Mumbai, Kalyan- Dombivli, Mira- Bhayander, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar, Ambarnath, Badlapur, Murbad and Shahpur. Thane is also the third-most industrialized districts of Maharashtra.
Of the major cities under Thane district, Mira- Bhayandar also known as the Twin city is growing at a very fast pace compared to others. As the number of citizens migrating to the twin city increases, the responsibility of their safety increases. Mira- Bhayander comprises of 
five police stations, Kanakia (also known as Mira Road police station), Kashimira, Navghar, Bhayander and Naya Nagar police station. These police stations are steered by their senior police inspectors (SPI’s) with dozens of police officials under them. If we look at the organization chart, all the police stations under the twin city are handled by its subdivisional police officer (SDPO).
After the recent shuffle in the police department, Mira Bhayander city has a new SDPO- Narshing Bhosale. He was earlier posted as SDPO Vasai and was known for his quick decision making ability. From the day one, he is the man on the go. He has alerted his officers to make a note of all the illegal activities happening in his jurisdiction.
Khaki Drought
In Mira Bhayander, which is spread over an area of 79.4 sq.km with the twin city’s population crossing almost over 12 lakh in addition to a floating populace of an average of five lakh, the number of cops deputed to keep vigil remains awfully low.
The Thane (rural) police have four sub-divisional offices Mira Road, Ganeshpuri, Shahpur and Murbad with 17 police stations under its jurisdiction following the split of Thane district to create state’s 36th district- Palghar in 2014. The Mira Road sub- division controls six police stations- Bhayander, Navghar, Uttan, Mira Road, Kashimira and Naya Nagar.
The rapid development in comparison to other regions has put tremendous pressure on the available resources. With 42 officers and 513 personnel, the official staff strength of this division stands at 555, but holidays and health constraints limits the actual number of on-duty cops to just 450, thus exposing the abysmal police-to population ratio that translates in to less than 45 cops to tend to emergency needs of more than a lakh of citizens.
“The police to public ratio is definitely disproportionate but we are trying our best with the resources available. The use of technology especially RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has been a great help,” says Narshing Bhosale, SDPO, Mira road.
Kanakia Police Station
Kanakia police station is one of the busiest police stations of Mira road. Located at Beverly Park, it is also called Mira Road police station. Jagdish Shinde heads this police station with a team of police officials working under him. “All the cases registered under his jurisdiction have been solved in a quick succession. A group of police officers are always ready to meet any emergency. And anyone found guilty is punished under law,” says Jagdish Shinde, senior police inspector, Mira Road.
Kashimira Police Station
Kashimira police station is located at the edge of Mira Road near Western Express highway. The police station is at present headed by Vilas Sanap with a set of police inspectors and constables. Some of the serious crimes being reported are rape, murder, theft etc. “I have been recently transferred to this police station. I have my own style of functioning. I think the relationship between police and citizens should be friendly. People should not be afraid of cops and should take the initiative to lodge a complaint,” says Sanap, senior police inspector, Kashimira police station.
Navghar Police Station
Navghar police station, located at Bhayander east has an extensive area under its jurisdiction. With a number of bars and lodges in the area it has become a den of crime since a long period of time. ‘I believe in perfection so I ask my officers and men to set goals and work with utmost sincerity. Police personnel should have the ability to assess any situation while managing the citizens. Most of the cases under my jurisdiction are solved and I look forward to curb all illicit activities taking place in the town’ says Shrikant Padhule, senior police inspector, Navghar police station.
Bhayander Police Station
Bhayander police station located in the west of Bhayander covers the entire area of Bhayander (west)starting from Bhayander station to Gorai. It also consists of a beat station Uttan which has a team of police officials and is headed by assistant police inspector.
Bhayander police station has a vast area under its jurisdiction, so we have a beat station or chowkie to assist us. I have been posted at Mira Road since last few years. Prior to this, I was in-charge of Kashimira police station. Our personnel are extremely helpful, cooperative and sincere. They do not complain when they have to work for a long stretch of time. Curbing crime is my foremost objective’, says Anil Kadam, senior police inspector, Bhayander police station.
Naya Nagar Police Station
Naya Nagar police station located near the famous Shams Masjid has been recently authorized to function as police station in Mira Bhayandar. “I joined as the senior police inspector last year. I have my team of police officers who are alert and ready to tackle any tough situation. No crime is pardonable. Every crime is punishable under relevant section, says Jadhav, senior police inspector, Naya Nagar police station.
– by Mohit Naik
