Editorial
JS body's directive to police
Implement immediately
It is reassuring that the JS committee on home ministry has taken note of a serious malaise in the police department and directed the IGP to stop the illegal activities being committed by a section of plainclothesmen by way of harassing and extorting money from innocent citizens.
Proclivity for crime within a section of the police department has long been on record. There are reports galore on bringing false charges against innocent people only to fleece them, including even killing people in custody through physical torture.
But effective measures to purge the law-enforcement agency of these rogue elements have been wanting. Worse yet, there have been instances of foot-dragging on taking strong action even against members of the police who were found guilty of crime. This regime of impunity has only helped to make matters worse
As a result, the image of the police in public mind has only worsened day by day. It is indeed a sad commentary on the state's role as protector of citizens when its police turn on the citizens. Small wonder the citizens prefer to stay away from the police even in times of need. It is time they changed that image for the better and they must set the record right to achieve that end.
The directive by the JS body, though long overdue, is welcome. But for the initiative to see the light of the day, a strong oversight mechanism needs also to be put in place immediately.
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