How capable are police to restore social order now

Much as the police's role during the quota reform and anti-discrimination movements may be maligned, it is impossible to dispense with the service---no matter if it is flawed ---of the law enforcement agency. Incapacitated, the force was totally non-functional for sometime. The law and order plummeted into an abyss. Even with their less than desirable service to the people in normal times, they have always made quite a difference in the law and order situation. People started feeling the void in the few days the police stations became non-functional.

Now the inspector general of police (IGP) claims that the vehicles of 500 police stations were burnt, which have now been replaced and the running of routine duties has gained momentum. The police chief made this claim while he was speaking on the role of the tourist police at a seminar on "Environmental Sustainability in Tourism: Responsibility of Police".

One expects this indeed was the case. But the facts speak contrary to such a claim. It is not just the elements with criminal records but ordinary people now feel prompted to beat or hack rivals or even members of their families over trifles. Such things have happened before but now those have become highly contagious. If the death of an army officer at the hands of robbers demonstrates the aggressiveness of criminal elements, the cruelty inflicted on own father or uncle leading to the elderly person's death corroborates the view.

Such clandestine attacks unleashed against people of the minority community are yet to cease and not all such incidents see the light of day. The seminar on tourism could not come at a more unfavourable time. Right now tourist sites, including the sea beach of Cox's Bazar in the hill districts are barren because of the deadly clashes between indigenous hill people and Bangalee settlers there. With its serious repercussions at home and abroad, the tourism industry has once again been experiencing a slump much like the one at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The issue falls well beyond the jurisdiction of the police, let alone those overseeing the welfare of tourists.

The slide in tourism there is one negative aspect of economy but more damaging is the mistrust between the communities involved. It is against this backdrop, the greatest festival of the Bangalee Hindus, Durga Puja, is going to be celebrated in the second week of the next month. The IGP in passing made another important remark on the security of temples and pandals where devotees will offer their puja (offerings or veneration) to the deity Durga. He announced that there would be no compromise on security at the puja venues.

A few incidents of attack on and damage or destruction of the idols of Durga and her whole retinue of god and goddesses, their mounts and the demon have already been reported in the media. The elements who carry out such attacks seem to have somehow developed the notion that time is ripe for anarchy and they can carry out such acts of aggression and violence with impunity. So the Hindus in the country, particularly in some selected vulnerable areas, cannot rest assured of the protective measures the police are supposed to provide. A few newspapers came up with reports identifying areas where the Durga temples and pandals are potentially the targets of orchestrated attacks. Is the law enforcement agency going to be equal to the task of providing the required security there?

When human life is considered cheap by a collective psychology gone berserk, anyone can fall victim anywhere. Insanity is at its worse as social deterrent and the sense of propriety take leave of mental faculty. When the legal parameter is violated by mob psychology or collective insanity, it is better to build civil awareness and resistance against such a negative mindset. Now that the chain of command in society has fallen apart, students must take the lead in this campaign.

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