Who will police the clean-up marshals?

Marshals stationed outside Virar railway station; a vigilante grabs a person by the neck outside Virar station. Pics/Hanif Patel

Clean-up marshals, set to be reappointed by the BMC have been brazenly harassing and extorting people in neighbouring districts. This paper's reporters were witness to their highhandedness. They were found fearlessly ganging up near Vasai, Virar, and Nalasopara railway stations without wearing uniforms or carrying identity cards.

The rogue marshals were seen dragging individuals by their necks to secluded places, where local goons extort money. They even forcefully inserted their hands into victims' pockets to snatch money. Any resistance is met with threats and verbal abuse.

This paper had exposed BMC marshals nearly two years ago extorting money. Even this time, when it was announced that the BMC was planning to bring in clean-up marshals once again, this edit space had warned that they must do their duty with honesty and efficiency.

Now, a familiar and fearsome pattern seems set to return. Who are these extortionists? Is there anybody to marshal these marshals? Who is working in cahoots with them? From locals who have spoken out in a report for this paper, there seems to be a clear pattern, which follows as such: first it is accuse, then intimidate, then escalate, assault and finally extortion.

This is unacceptable and quick action is needed to weed out first the frauds from authorised marshals. Let signage be put up in public places enlightening public on who exactly and what one has to look out for when it comes to checking credentials of clean-up marshals. The marshals must be trained to show their credentials when being asked. The real marshals need to be trained by civic authorities about their duties, dissemination and most importantly, boundaries.