'Mumbai police morale low after August 11 riot'

Stating that Mumbai police is going through a "crisis time" post-August 11 violence, new Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh on Thursday said he will initiate measures to revive the morale of 40,000-strong force, appearing critical of his predecessor Arup Patnaik's handing of the riots, in which two persons were killed.

"I am honoured and conscious of the heavy responsibility this post carries. Mumbai police is facing a difficult time, and during this crisis time, the government appointed me the commissioner and I am grateful for this," he said after taking charge of his new assignment.

"After the (Aug 11) incident, public confidence in police machinery has shaken. The morale of the city police is down. I will try to revive confidence through various measures," the 1980-batch IPS officer said.

"A question mark has been put on the force. May be it (Azad Maidan rioting) could have been handled well, that is what people are thinking..," said Singh, who has held the post of Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) in Mumbai, considered one of the most difficult assignments in police circles.

Before appointed Mumbai CP, Singh was Additional Director General (Law & Order). Earlier he has worked as Additional DG (Establishments), Pune and Nagpur Police Commissioner and Konkan Range IG. He was also on deputation with CBI.

When pointed out that his statements indicated the riot situation was not handled well by Patnaik, he replied, "I am talking about perception. That is what the perception of the media and public. We are here for people and if the people are not happy, it means somewhere we are not up to the mark."