Protector turns predator

Kh. Tarunkumar *

Police controlling bandh protestors at Imphal on 24 December 2011 :: Pix by Jinendra Maibam

I still remember the incident I witnessed during my visit to Chandigarh in the month of June, 2003. I was there for admission of my cousin brother at the DA V College. On a fine morning at around 10:00 O'clock, I along with my cousin brother set out from the Sector 15 Chandigarh on a cycle rickshaw to the DAV College Chandigarh at Sector 10. In front of our rickshaw, three girls were also going on a rickshaw. In the meantime, two Sikh youths came on a Royal Enfield bike and they followed the three girls and said something in Punjabi language to the girls. The girls seem to be very unease to the nature of the two youths. But they can't reply nor scold the two youths because they might have known the consequences. All of a sudden, one police patrol of Chandigarh Police came to the spot and they arrested the two youths and asked them to seek apology to the girls. They first refused to apologize. Then one of the policeman slapped the youths. Only then, the youths tendered apology to the girls for their misdeeds.

But here in Manipur, it has become a common scene on the roads that whenever any girls rides their bikes/moped behind a police patrol party, the policemen sitting in the rear seat will always say something to the girls. Such type of scene is very irritating to the public even if the words are not indecent. Such policeman should always keep in mind that they are police and their duty is to protect the citizens including the woman and girls. They should be very polite. Police must use good words in dealing with general public. At the time of joining service, they swear on oath that their duty is to protect this nation and its citizens at the cost of their lives. That is why police service and other uniformed service like Army, Air force, Paramilitary forces etc. are known as Disciplined Force. They are rendering their duty round the clock. But now and then, because of the actions of some deadwoods, the image of state police has been lowered down.

Very recently, we have came across a news on the local daily newspapers that three persons from Chandel district who came to Imphal for Christmas shopping were robbed their money of around Rupees ninety thousand alongwith their mobile phones by the suspected cops. Later on they were released after beaten up black and blue. It was also reported that they were threatened with dire consequences if they report the incident to the public.

Luckily, police swooped into action and arrested the culprits. On being arrested it was found that one ASI of Bishnupur CDO was involved in the abovesaid unfortunate incident. It was also reported that he was remanded to police custody for another two days for further investigation. Automatically, he has to be placed under suspension as per Rules 10 of Central Civil Services (Classification Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965. This Rules clearly says that if a Government employee is put under police custody for a period exceeding forty­eight hours, he shall be deemed to have been placed under suspension.

But, we do not know whether the SP, Bishnupur District has issued the suspension order or not. The aforesaid Rules 10 of CCS (CA) Rules 1965 is a mandatory provision. The police/investigating agency should complete the investigation promptly and charge sheet should be submitted to the concerned criminal court without further delay and a fair and speedy trial should be held. If the delinquent police personnel is found guilty, he should be punished as per the penal law of this land.

Sometimes back also, there was an incident whereby a tribal woman was gang raped by four youths including one policeman. In the earlier occasions also, there were several instances where the State police personnel were arrested red handed while trying to extort money from one medical store, while hurling grenade to the hospital, while giving demand/extortion letter to the public. The morale of such policeman has downed to the bottom. They have forgotten the most important thing that why they have entered into police service and what is the duty of the police. Most of the recruits of police treated this service just for earning monthly salary instead of serving the nation and people with sacrifice. Something has gone wrong in the state police service.

At the time of recruitment of police, a strict screening of the candidates is highly required. Not only the physical test, written test, viva-voce, the psychological standard and past record of the candidate is also required to be examined by a team of psychologists as done in the developed countries like USA and Canada.

If a person enters into service through illegal means by giving bribe, naturally after entering into service he will try to get back the money which he gave while entering into service. Therefore, there should not be any act of bribery or corruption at the recruitment of police. Only those candidates who are physically and mentally fit and are willing to serve the nation as a policeman should be selected. As police are going to contact with the public with power vested to them and with their weapons, the appointing authority should be very cautious while selecting them. Chances of misusing their power and guns issued to them are very high if they are not sincere in discharging their duty.

Torture in custody flouts the basic rights of the citizens recognized by the Indian Constitution and is an affront to human dignity. Police excess and the maltreatment of detainees/undertrial prisoners or suspects tarnishes the image of any civilized nation and encourages the men in Khaki to consider themselves to be above the law and sometimes even to become a law unto themselves. Unless stern measures are taken to check the malady of the very fence eating the crop, the foundation of the criminal justice-delivery system would be shaken and civilization itself would risk the consequence of heading towards total decay resulting in anarchy and authoritarianism reminiscent of barbarism. The law courts, therefore, must deal with such type of cases in a realistic manner and with the sensitivity which they deserve, otherwise the common man may tend to gradually lose faith in the efficacy of the system of the judiciary itself, which if it happens, will be a sad day, for anyone to reckon with.

It is the duty of the police, when a crime is reported, to collect evidence to be placed during trial to arrive at the truth. That certainly would not include torturing a person, be he an accused or a witness to extract information. The duty should be done within the four corners of law. Law enforcers cannot take law into their hands in the name of collecting evidence. Police officers should remain professional and composed, even during the most traumatic times. This is why they are trusted with guns and badges.

Unfortunately police in the country have given a room for an impression in the minds of public that whenever there is a crime, investigation usually means rounding up all persons concerned and subjecting them to third degree interrogation in the hope that someone will spill the beans. This impression may not be correct, but instances are not wanting where police have resorted to such a practice. Lack of training in scientific investigation methods, lack of modern equipment, lack of adequate personnel and the lack of mindset respecting human rights are generally the reasons for such illegal action. One other main reason is that the public expect result from police in too short span of time forgetting that methodical and scientific investigation is a time consuming and lengthy process.

Time has come for an attitudinal change not only in the minds of the police, but also on the part of the public. Difficulties in criminal investigation and the time required for such investigation should be recognized and police should be allowed to function methodically without interferences and unnecessary pressures. If police are to perform better, the public should support them. Government should strengthen and equip them and men in power should not interfere or belittle them. The three wings of the Government should encourage, insists and ensure through scientific investigation under proper legal procedures followed by prompt and efficient prosecution.

Yes, police officers have a demanding job. But, they also have a rewarding job. And, most importantly, they have a responsible job. If the stresses and demands of their job forced them to commit crimes, then they should be exposed and criticized and publicly punished. We pay these officers from public money to protect us, not to turn on us. We pay these officers to rid the streets of criminals but not to become criminals. We pay these officers to enforce the existing laws but not to enforce non-existing laws.