Any clash between the police and the public is the result of erosion of trust and a breach of social contract on the part of either of the parties or both. In the Kalihati police firing, the death of three people and injuries to 32 others only bring to the fore that both trust and social contract have been seriously undermined. The furore over the tragic incident has shifted the focus from the original incident that led to the clashes between the villagers and the police. Its origin goes back to an extra-marital affair. But the consequent torture and humiliation of the suitor and his mother by the aggrieved party acted as an incendiary.
In this case, reportedly the police rescued the tortured and humiliated mother and son and even arrested some of the oppressors. But then why were the villagers still dissatisfied with the police? There lies the root cause of the problem. The lack of trust between the police and the public is not incident-specific. It is a general perception and a dangerous one. It would be wrong to underestimate the capability of the law enforcers. But the problem is that they fail at the crucial times to prove themselves. Horrendous crimes committed in public places go unresolved for unspecified times when people eagerly wait for immediate arrest and early trial of the criminals. Also the controversial and at times unreasonable statements made by the high police officials only make the matter worse.
Clearly, people sense that there is something wrong with the system. The law enforcers cannot or are not allowed to work independently. They have to stage ludicrous dramas at times. If law takes its own course in all criminal cases there would hardly be any scope for people to tender no-confidence in the men of uniform. Sometimes, highhandedness and involvement in crimes on the part of a section of the members of the police have only contributed to their image crisis.
Yet it would be wrong to consider the violent public reaction an explosion of simmering discontent. More often than not, the police-public antagonism gets out of hand on account of misunderstanding and lack of respect for each other. If people are sovereign, they also have to behave rationally and more importantly need to be patient. The police on their part have to develop the important organ of the state as an institution in order to command respect.
Without this, it is futile to expect that the law enforcement agency will be able to discharge its duty objectively and efficiently. Sure enough, sophistication at the lower ranks is conspicuous only by its absence. If politics is none of their concern, the members of the police can perform their duty without fear or favour. The need is to create an ambience where they do not have to work under any undue influence and for longer hours than usual. In this connection, better training and financial reward for the lower ranks in particular can help bring about a desirable change.
No to public-police antagonism
FE Team | Published: September 22, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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