Law and order slide
Rubi Azad | Friday, 13 March 2009
A slide in law and order is a reality. It is realised by not only the sufferers, but it is an officially admitted fact after what the minister concerned stated recently. She ordered the police to start a special drive to improve the law and order.
But it is unlikely that an occasional tougher drive would be so effective against the resurgent crime wave. A more innovative response would stand a better chance of a sustained success. The deteriorating law and order, it seems, coincides with hardened criminals stepping out of the prisons on bail. It would not matter if they gave up their old ways on getting bail. But, nearly all of them, it seems, have resumed their old activities on getting bail. They are now engaging in more sinister crimes with renewed vigour, it seems.
There are also other important factors involved. The police, seriously deficient in investigating allegations against these known underworld elements, fail to submit evidence in courts against them. The inefficiency of the police weakens cases against them creating the opportunity for many of them to avoid successful prosecution. Their lawyers find it easy to exploit insufficient evidences or other loopholes for getting bails or even secure release. Another factor is the offenders apply pressure on the law enforcement agencies exploiting their political loyalties.
Only by increasing patrols or deploying a greater number of police not much can be achieved on a sustained basis. An enduring improvement in law and order will require a determined and sustained action, deployment of dedicated police force together with efficient investigation against the underworld.
RAB, in particular, ought to launch a fresh campaign with zero tolerance against the offenders. No political shelter should be given to the underworld. The government should step up the drive on a sustained basis to ensure that it is taken seriously and gets enforced.
But it is unlikely that an occasional tougher drive would be so effective against the resurgent crime wave. A more innovative response would stand a better chance of a sustained success. The deteriorating law and order, it seems, coincides with hardened criminals stepping out of the prisons on bail. It would not matter if they gave up their old ways on getting bail. But, nearly all of them, it seems, have resumed their old activities on getting bail. They are now engaging in more sinister crimes with renewed vigour, it seems.
There are also other important factors involved. The police, seriously deficient in investigating allegations against these known underworld elements, fail to submit evidence in courts against them. The inefficiency of the police weakens cases against them creating the opportunity for many of them to avoid successful prosecution. Their lawyers find it easy to exploit insufficient evidences or other loopholes for getting bails or even secure release. Another factor is the offenders apply pressure on the law enforcement agencies exploiting their political loyalties.
Only by increasing patrols or deploying a greater number of police not much can be achieved on a sustained basis. An enduring improvement in law and order will require a determined and sustained action, deployment of dedicated police force together with efficient investigation against the underworld.
RAB, in particular, ought to launch a fresh campaign with zero tolerance against the offenders. No political shelter should be given to the underworld. The government should step up the drive on a sustained basis to ensure that it is taken seriously and gets enforced.