Patna, Oct. 20: The Bihar government will go hammer and tongs against those involved in economic offences. For the purpose, the government has decided to set up a special wing at the state police headquarters in Patna and also initiate the process of confiscation of property of the offenders.

Bihar director general of police (DGP) Abhayanand said initially the special wing would be set up at the state police headquarters and then at the district level.

“Important cases of economic offences will be probed by the special wing at the headquarters,” he said. Human trafficking, possessing fake currency notes, narcotics and manufacture and sale of fake goods would be treated as economic offences, the DGP added. He said there was law to tackle these crimes. “But now we have to bring these laws into practice,” he said.

Briefing reporters after a marathon meeting of senior police officers chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday, the DGP said that the property of persons booked for economic offences would be confiscated.

Police officers not below the rank of inspector would be posted at the special economic wing at the district level. “The officers assigned to probe the cases of economic offences will be imparted training,” he said, adding that the SPs will have liberty to hire chartered accountants, if needed.

The DGP said that a law officer would be attached with each SP in the district. “The law officers will assist the SPs in quick disposal of cases and prosecution of the accused,” he said.

The special wing will function in addition to the two anti-corruption wings of the state administration — vigilance investigation bureau and special vigilance unit. Disproportionate assets of the public servants are being confiscated under the Bihar Special Courts Act.

Abhayanand said that the SPs have been asked to initiate action against middlemen involved in siphoning of funds under Indira Awas Yojna and MNREGA under Section 110 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Section 110 deals with holding courts in mohallas/localities and filling the bond papers by the accused.

The issues related to Naxalites and speedy trial were also discussed at length at the meeting. Nitish asked the heads of different government departments to cooperate with the police in dealing with the Naxalite menace.

The DGP asked the SPs to accelerate the process of speedy trial.

Abhayanand said ensuring peaceful and crime-free law and order were his top priorities. “Don’t throw stones on the police when the latter approach you for talks,” he appealed to those indulging in stone pelting on men in uniform.