Maharashtra to honour C-60 commandos, Fadnavis pushes tech-led policing reforms

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that personnel of the state police’s elite anti-Naxal unit, C-60 , will be awarded medals in recognition of their service in combating Maoist insurgency, even as the government outlined a comprehensive roadmap for technology-driven policing reforms.

Addressing reporters after a half-yearly review meeting with senior officials of the Maharashtra Police, Fadnavis said that officers who have completed a minimum of three years in the specialised C-60 force will be eligible for the honour. The unit operates primarily in the Naxal-affected districts of eastern Maharashtra and has played a key role in curbing insurgent activity.

Highlighting the state’s progress, the Chief Minister said Maoist activity has been “nearly eliminated” in Maharashtra, while noting that 244 police personnel have lost their lives over the years in anti-Naxal operations.

In a parallel push to modernise law enforcement, Fadnavis directed complete digitisation of policing processes from registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) to filing of chargesheets. He also called for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence tools to assist in case analysis, improve investigation quality, and enhance conviction rates.

The state’s conviction rate currently stands at around 50 per cent, with the government aiming to raise it significantly. The Crime Investigation Department has been tasked with analysing cases from the past four to five years to identify gaps and recommend policy measures.

The Chief Minister further proposed the use of blockchain technology for evidence management and stressed the need for real-time forensic processing to reduce pendency. Districts will be graded based on crime performance, with incentives for high-performing officers and corrective measures for underperforming units.

On broader law enforcement priorities, Fadnavis said discussions were held on national security, cybercrime, and handling of communal tensions. He also announced a forthcoming “drug-free campus” initiative, signalling a statewide campaign against narcotics.

Citing improvements in road safety, he said targeted police interventions in cities like Nagpur have led to a reduction in accidents, with similar trends observed on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway .

An Artificial Intelligence-based tool being developed at IIT Bombay to identify illegal immigrants is currently under testing, with the government expected to announce further details upon its completion.