Editorial
Another dimension to crime
Fake law-enforcers having a field day
When criminality is on the rise, it takes on newer forms with the passage of time. This is exactly what is happening now, much to the embarrassment of the law-enforcers and predicament of the citizens.
This is a manifestation of unbridled proliferation of criminalities in society as well as an entrenched culture of impunity. The high incidence of criminal gangs posing as law enforcers in the capital is a recurrent phenomenon. This they are doing in real style in that they carry wireless sets and handcuffs with their transport having police stickers on them. That they can carry out their activities with bravado is also a reflection on the efficiency of the law-enforcement agencies.
Some of the gang members are even former security personnel that makes it all the more problematic from the point of view of maintaining law and order.
This speaks of an overall breakdown of order and discipline, so much so that the fugitives can violate rules with reckless abandon and commit crime.
Essentially, the police's grip on the criminal underworld will have to be firmed up and made extensive and effective.
Secondly, those dismissed from the forces for breach of discipline or any unlawful act should be on the law-enforcement radar.
The authorities have counselled citizens to challenge any intruder claiming to be a lawman to produce his identity card. But how can a citizen brave such an act when facing a gun-wielding stranger?
True, public awareness building could help fend off such criminal approaches to some extent. Yet there is no substitute for regular police vigilance and patrol.
Community policing can be of great help here.
The limited police force is thinly distributed on various kinds of activities, leaving very few to attend to the business of actual crime control.
We will have to take recourse to optimal utilisation of law-enforcement personnel coupled with adequate logistical support within a well-defined policy framework, if we are to bring about any visible improvement in the law and order situation.
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