No free land to house Maharashtra's Force One

Maharashtra's one-year-old elite terror combat unit formed on the lines of the National Security Guard is yet to get possession of the land allotted by the government for setting up a base, as the dispute with tribals over the property remains unresolved.

Force One, with over 260 trained commandos, became operational nearly a year after the Mumbai terror attack. The government had then allotted 98.6 acres at Aarey Colony to construct a base and infrastructure facilities for the personnel of the squad.

Maharashtra Director General of Police D Sivanandan said it would take a lot of time to construct the headquarters or a base for the unit. "There are some villagers and tribals living in Aarey Colony who are opposing the allotment of the land. There are human rights issue also," he added.

Tribal activist Ankush Bhoir claimed the land was allotted to the tribals under the Bombay province law in 1862. The tribals have been cultivating paddy, vegetables, coconuts and mangoes in the area for years, he said.

The tribals living at Aarey Milk Colony since 1862 have begun opposing the government's proposal, and the latter has been trying to find an amicable solution for the same and get the land for Force One, the police said.

The special unit, equipped with AK47s, is currently practising at the Mumbai police building at Kalina. Since its inception, the special unit has undergone regular training sessions. Foreign security experts have also been roped in for training the unit.