The police and the common man? –Col. RD Singh
31 October 2012
Pictures and Videos: Amar Singh
Jyani, GS Mann (Watch the embedded Video)
The
recent spate of rape cases in Haryana, the ugly spat between the Punjab police
chief and Capt Amrinder Singh, and Chandigarh SP caught red handed taking a
bribe of one lac from a SHO, have again focused our attention on the declining
state of the police force, and its politicization The common man is losing
faith in the force. It is seen that the
rich pay the police and get away. Where does the poor man go, when he is
wronged? He dreads to go to a police
station as he has no faith. He knows
that first thing that the police man on duty will do is to talk rudely, perhaps
slap him, make him wait endlessly, and then harass him for a bribe even to nab
the culprits. If the culprits are caught, the police will make money from them
also. What to talk of poor people, even educated people think twice before
approaching the police. Some time back, there was a theft in a widow’s house in
our area. She complained to the police.
The thief was not caught, but her life was made miserable. The police men would
come to her house under the pretext of gathering details, plonk themselves, and
demand ‘chai- pani’. She got fed
up. Thereafter, she never went near a police station, and rather approached a
retired army officer who was her neighbor, for help.
I
have horrifying memories of the police in my village when I was a young boy.
The ‘thanedar’ would come to the village, tie up the suspected people to
a tree, at will, and thrash them with a stick in full glare of the public. Then
they would round up the cattle, and take these to the police station, depriving
the family of livelihood. That was the British legacy of tyranny. I thought, some day, things will improve. Not
much has changed in terms of ruthlessness, corruption, and credibility of the
police. Today, it is not only corrupt and ill trained, but highly
politicised. The Supreme Court’s long
pending recommendations on police reforms be damned, as far as the politicians
are concerned as it does not suit them.
Yes,
the police has improved in terms of IT, and modern equipment, but the mind set
remains the same. The first thing that a new CM of any state does is to appoint
police chief of his choice, and thereafter use the state police to further his
political agendas. The police also toe the line, as it helps them to make
money, and wield undue authority in the name of the ruling politicians. The
common man may have to run from pillar to post to file an FIR, but a large
police force remains at the beck and call of VIPs. That makes the police not
only corrupt but also results in neglect of their basic policing duties. So,
you have crimes of all kinds galore.
The
police is meant for the public and not politicians. The IPS officers have to
give a lead, awaken their conscience, and stop being a stooge of political
leaders. They are a chosen few and must live up to the esteemed name of the
Indian police service. What will happen
– transfers, no ill gotten money? Once
they set a personal example of professional honesty, the other police men will
follow. They must also improve their training and remain physically fit. Once
they do it, their self esteem will improve, and the police reforms would have begun by their very
actions of propriety. Remember, a police man is also in uniform. He must keep
its dignity. He can do it if he places people before self. Let’s see a change
in the police for the ‘aam admi’, for a happy and healthy society.
Colonel
R D Singh ( retd)
Ambala Cantt – 133001
Colonel R D Singh, a star blood donor, and a
decorated soldier, belongs to Village Pilimandori (now in Distt. Fatehabad). He
is also a life member of INTACH, and his entire family believes in giving back
to the society. Wife is a senior teacher
in the Army Public School, daughter (LLM topper from the DU Law Faculty) is a
member of the Delhi Bar Association, recently married to an IIT, IIM fine young
man. son, is a young Lieutenant in Army (third generation). Col. Ripu Daman Singh writes regularly for news
papers, and The Sirsa News.
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