MONTHLY FEATURE uuu POLICE AND SECURITY uuu OCTOBER, 1999

Forty five years ago, on October 21, ten gallant personnel of CRPF, laid down their lives, in the inhospitable region of Ladakh, while defending the Indian territory from Chinese intruders. Police Forces in India observe this day as the Police Commemoration Day, not only to pay homage to these ten but also to remember and revere thousands of policemen, who gave their today for the better tomorrow of the people.

Policemen make the supreme sacrifice while defending the Country from external threats; fighting internal threats of disintegration from secessionist, insurgent, terrorist and political extremist elements; while fighting communal, caste and divisive elements; and while safeguarding the people from the depredations of I.S.I., organised crime and other lumpen elements. The much-maligned police have always lived up to their motto: 'Duty unto Death'.

Statistics of deaths of policemen in the line of duty in India are staggering and chilling. Nowhere in the World, so many policemen are required to make the supreme sacrifice for their countrymen. Compared to 2 per annum in U.K. and 80 in U.S.A., the death toll in India amounts to over 600 every year. Over 40 % of these personnel were under the age of 36 and 10 % were under 25. Thus, these personnel were snatched away by death while they were in the prime of their life. The total fatalities of Police Forces in India is more than the total fatalities suffered by our Defence forces in the four Wars against Pakistan, Kargil Operations and IPKF Operation. Added to this dismal picture, anti-national and anti-social elements are now targeting police families for attack.

Can Indian Democracy afford to remain complacent in the face of these stark facts? Should we not make an effort to halt this trend? People may say that risk to life is an occupational hazard for a policeman and is to be expected. Yes. But, if it is possible, we should take all steps to reduce these deaths.

To reverse this trend, we should train and equip our policemen to meet the threats from urban and rural extremists, who are waging guerilla warfare against the State. Police should also be trained in handling of and dealing effectively with Landmines, Improvised Explosive Devices and the like, which are being increasingly used by extremist elements. There should be a clear demarcation between 'civil police' and 'armed police'. Unarmed Civil Police should not be used in meeting threats to Internal Security. Legal norms for Police operations are to be reviewed. There should be clarity about the legal norms applicable to peaceful citizens and to those who question the very basis of the existence of this Democracy and threaten the same with violence. Let not the benefits of Rule of Law are available to lawless elements.

An eminent American Jurist once said, that the Bill of Rights is not a suicide pact entered into by our Nation (USA) with its enemies for its own destruction. Let us substitute the words 'Fundamental Rights' and 'India', for the 'Bill of Rights' and 'USA' to reflect the situation in our country today. We are keen providing the 'Rights' to wrong ones, who have no regard to our Democratic or Constitutional principles.

Police are doing a very difficult job and they deserve the support of the People. Unfortunately, `Police Bashing' has become a fashionable hobby for the intellectuals and the media. Let us not denigrate all policemen for the fault of a few black sheep among them. While the Police leadership should take positive steps to isolate and expel these black sheep from the Force, public can accelerate this cleaning process by demanding Police Reforms to usher in lawful and ethical Policing in the Country.

To give the Police their due, it is time that the `Police Flag' is also unfurled at the Amar Jawan Jyothi National Memorial at India Gate along with those of the three services. October 21 should be observed as 'Police Day' throughout the Country and the Political Leaders and eminent citizens should participate in the same.

Peace and tranquility in Society are essential for the Nation to progress. Police are ensuring these. The basic right of a Citizen in a liberal Democracy is to elect his representative in a free and fair election without fear or coercion. Police by assisting in the peaceful and successful completion of the 1999-Lok Sabha elections in India, have truly contributed to the growth of democratic traditions in the Country.

Let us pay homage to the Police Martyrs on October 21 and Salute them.

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