When law protectors become law breakers
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 28, 2012 -

Police personel search operation in the heart of Imphal market on 10th April 2009

First, it was the involvement of two IRB personnel in the gang-rape of a middle-aged woman at Keinou Awang Leikai under Bishnupur police station on March 22.

Secondly, it was the involvement of a jawan of 35 Assam Rifles in the abduction of a salesman of a chicken centre from Churachandpur market in the evening of March 24.

And, last but not least, another AR personnel belonging to the post of 33nd at Sehlon, Chandel was caught red-handed while indulging in immoral act with a divorcee from a seedy restaurant at Sajiwa Jail Lamkhai on March 26.

It may be mere coincidence that all these incidents have occurred within a span of week's time. But all these incidents have brought to fore the conduct, nay, the misconduct of the security personnel deployed in the state under public scanner once again.

Interestingly, all these reprehensible events have come to light one after another close behind the heels of newly inducted Home Minister of the state, Gaikhangam spelling out his agenda of transforming the image of police force in particular and that of other security forces deployed in the state in general from 'roguery to people-friendly'.

With allegation of high-handedness and unruly conduct flying thick and fast, the reputation and image of the security personnel in Manipur has taken a serious beating down the years.

Regardless of countless Police Modernisation Schemes, transforming the image of men in uniform is not going to be an easy task without understanding the basics of policing and discipline.

Waywardness of the security personnel is not a new thing in Manipur, or for that matter, anywhere else around the globe, and this is one major factor for the public to look at men in uniform with suspicion.

As protectors of law; public are supposed to look up to them in times of trouble. But that is not happening.

Why is it so? A thorough soul searching is essential to find out an answer.

We admit that higher-ups may not be in a position to put a tab on the activities of their personnel once they are out of their respective camps or battalions.

But that does not mean that they can wash off their hands completely over the conduct of their sub-ordinates.

Just as one rotten tomato can spoil the entire sackful, it should be made understandable to all that one single act of a man in uniform can either burnish or tarnish the image of the entire force.

Men in uniform are here to protect lives and properties of the people and to enable them to carry out their duty effectively; they have been given some responsibility and power.

But that does not mean that they are above law. To win the trust and support of the public, which are essential for taking up action against crimes and maintenance of public order, men in uniform, first of all, need to set themselves as example of steadfast moral character.

Then only, we can talk about transparency in the system.

A little disciplining and infusion of morale is all that would be required for transforming the image of men in uniform and the process has to begin from the top.

Hope Mr Home Minister is listening.