Recently, the Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack introduced a system of interface between local citizens and the police. It is no doubt an attempt to reduce the distance between the police and the common people, which has been very wide since the British regime in India. Interference of political people and corrupt practices have helped widen the gap more. It is the duty of police to maintain law and order in society. But the question is can anybody honestly express that our State police are fully and effectively observing their social responsibilities. The State police absolutely work under the direction of the State Government, as policing is a State subject. The interface can only be successful, when both the parties come to a negotiating point and understand each other.
Even now in the 21st century, the police are applying third degree in investigation to force confession. This weans police away from the common man. Many innocent people are tortured and booked in various cases by the police when they are innocent. There is no fear of any punishment to the station officers if a wrong man is prosecuted. Instances of innocent people having been nabbed and sent to jail on mistaken identity are also galore in the State. But mostly innocent are caught and sent to court when there are underhand deals. Police officers are mostly interested to be posted in police stations for this. When the police administration is not clear how the culture of interface works, the common people will get no respite from police excesses. When police officers are capable of arranging their posting, can they be free from politics and corruptionIJ The authorities of the police administration may look into the matter. When one police officer continues in a station for decades, it cannot be possible without the blessing of higher-ups.
In spite of all colonial practices, there is a silver lining somewhere. It is hoped that police can build up a pro-people image and help reduce crime this way. Very recently the authorities of the Commissionerate Police interacted with 50-55 principals and deans of engineering colleges of the capital city on how to maintain discipline among the students and build their good moral character. For, it is found that the engineering college students most often are involved in several crimes in the city, including theft, snatching, bike lifting, organized attack and shoot-out etc. The youngsters are not only the assets of their families but also they are the assets of the whole nation. The whole machinery of the Government should realize this. The very trend of educated youths getting attracted towards crime is a social problem which must be dealt with deftly. The police’s duty does not end by simply prosecuting such youngsters to the courts. The police, on the other hand, must take steps for reforming the youths. There is a common perception
that boys are committing crimes just for earning money so that they can woo their girl friends. But the reality is this could be one of the reasons.
Addiction to drug for example is another reason for spurt in crime in the city. The boys of technical institutions, particularly of engineering colleges, are addicted to different drugs. This spurs them for earning money illegally. Drugs and narcotics in various forms like brown sugar, heroin, charas and ghutca etc used by these youths from their college career. They spoil their life subsequently. So the young people are becoming the victims of such drugs. Although the State Government has banned the ghutca, it is widely sold in every betel shop without any prohibition.
The interface of police should be with students, teachers and guardians including general public to get the desired results.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)