State leadership not bothered to discuss panel's recommendations about 26/11 report, says panel chief Ram Pradhan

NEW DELHI: In what could raise doubts about Maharashtra government's ability to deal with challenges related to security, chairman of the committee that probed the 26/11 terror attacks, Ram Pradhan, has said that the state leadership has not bothered to discuss the panel's recommendations.

"It's been a year since we submitted the report, but no one from the state government has even met me to discuss the report or tell me how they are implementing the recommendations made. The people deserve answers. I realised that they are busy, but isn't this important," Pradhan told a private TV channel.

He also said that the home department needed to go beyond paper work and take credible steps. "The home department needs to go beyond paper work. They need to act more and talk less. There is a need for an overhaul in the security apparatus," he said. Pradhan, who was scathing in his attack of the state police, said that they have not learnt any lessons from 26/11.

"The police department's primary responsibility is to protect the people. It is unable to perform this basic function because they are understaffed and overworked. Policemen work long hours. If the police department is strengthened, all these lapses will stop. But no one is really working toward strengthening the police system," Pradhan said.

He said he had warned the government that terrorists might strike Koregaon Park in Pune. This is the same area where the German Bakery was bombed in February 2010.

"While preparing the 26/11 commission report, I had visited Pune and expressed concerns that Koregaon Park may be targeted by terrorists. I had told the government that the area was vulnerable because it is a tourist hub," Pradhan said.