Reiterating his announcements about increased allocation of manpower (two SRP companies) to the Thane Commissionerate in general and Kalyan-Dombivli in particular, a review of the commissionerate's staff and the proposed legislation to enact a new law to tackle organised crime, Munde said: ``The attacks by human rights groups on police encounters, which had effectively checked organised crime, have caused a spurt in crime.''

Addressing mediapersons at Kalyan today, Munde said if the likes of Sada Pawle could be called ``innocent vicitms'', why couldn't the police be allowed to fire back at gangsters during encounters. ``It is a pity that they do not have the basic right toeven defend themselves. I have been told that wanted criminals are roaming free in this area,'' he said.

Munde promised to check the antecedents of all police officers during next week's review and also assured action in instances of ``purposeful negligence''. However, he deftly dodged comment on the nexus between certain Thane and Kalyan corporators and extortionists. ``We are looking into the matter. The law will take its own course.'' The minister was clearly tongue-tied since the Thane Commissionerate insists that the files pertaining to the issue have been sent to the Home Department.

The otherwise vocal minister was also amazingly silent on the proposed transfer of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Shrikant Sawarkar. Reminded of his assurance ``to try and wrangle a new DCP even before his visit to Kalyan'', Munde simply ignored the query.

Among the delegations which met Munde were the Dombivli, Kalyan, Ulhasnangar and Ambernath chapters of the Indian Medical Association, the MedicalPractitioners Association of Mira-Bhayander and various builders' and hoteliers' associations.