Maharashtra government has taken up the modernisation of the police force on a war footing, providing them with the latest equipment, advanced weaponry and armoured vehicles, Governor K Satyanarayanan informed the state legislature here on Thursday.

"The safety and security of the citizens has always remained top priority of the Government. To effectively deal with the scourge of terrorism, the modernisation of the police force has been taken up on a war footing," the governor said, addressing a joint session of the legislature as the budget session got underway today.

Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP legislators unfurled banners and shouted slogans on issues like inflation, farmers' plight and separate Vidarbha, as the governor began his address.

Police is being provided with the latest equipment, advanced weaponry and armoured vehicles.

A comprehensive package has been prepared and is being rigorously implemented for this purpose," he said, adding this will definitely enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the force.

A Crime and Criminal Network Tracking System is being set up with an aim to create a nationwide infrastructure network to detect criminals on a real time basis, the Governor said.

The Government has taken a decision to create additional 55,000 posts in the state police force, out of which 44,084 posts have been created.

On the occasion of Golden Jubilee Year of the formation of Maharashtra State, the Government is preparing a 'Vision Document' to indicate where the state should be by the year 2015 and to identify the strategy as well as the schemes to be implemented in the next five years, he said.

The Governor paid tributes to the 17 victims of German bakery blast in Pune.

"Innocent persons have lost their lives.I pay my homage to them. The public acted courageously and helped the government machinery to keep the situation under control," he said.

The government provided immediate relief to the grieved families and timely medical treatment to the injured persons, he added.

The Governor ended his speech, wishing the legislators a fruitful session, in Marathi.

A Shiv Sena delegation led by party Executive President Uddhav Thackeray had recently told Sankaranarayanan that he should speak in Marathi during his address to the Legislature.

Thackeray had requested the Governor that he should begin the address to the Legislature in Marathi and the Governor had told the delegation that he knows Marathi and Hindi, and would be glad to start his speech in Marathi, Sena spokpesperson Neelam Gorhe said.