India's Police

[Capt M Kumar]

Fatehabad, April 2

Visitors to the local mini-secretariat were taken aback, when they were informed that three “terrorists” had sneaked inside the secretariat building and “taken city magistrate Roshan Lal hostage”



The “terrorists”, the onlookers were informed, were demanding release of four prisoners. Soon, the police swung into action and the commandos surrounded the building.



The SP, Jagwant Singh Lamba, deputed his deputy Chander Singh to head the operations.



http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/2010040...ana.htm#11

[Capt M Kumar]

The solution is to grant constitutional status to the CBI and give the wherewithal to the judiciary, including manpower and equipment, to ensure that no case remains pending beyond six months or a year.



This writer has had the opportunity to interact with two Prime Ministers on the issue. While one of them was willing but had no political support to do this, the other objected to it, wondering why he should give his powers away. What the leaders and those in power have to do is incredibly simple. Whether or not they have the will to do the same is, however, another matter. http://www.dailypioneer.com/271596/CBI-h...onomy.html

[Capt M Kumar]

NEW DELHI: The CBI on Friday challenged the Allahabad High Court's order to drop charges against senior BJP leader L K Advani in the Babri Masjid demoliton case. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india...521805.cms



The high court had quashed the criminal conspiracy case against Advani and 20 others.



After the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 two FIRs were filed against those allegedly involved in it.



The first FIR was against unknown persons while the second FIR was filed against Advani and 20 others.

CBI wants to close Bofors and appealing against closure of this case! <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':o' />

[sumishi]

[size="3"][url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Protector-Turns-Predator/articleshow/10145541.cms"]Protector Turns Predator[/url] : TOI, Sep 28, 2011



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In another shocking incident of police brutality, a truck driver was allegedly clubbed to death for refusing to pay a bribe of Rs 5,000 by constables of the regional transport office in Chandauli. What's more, this is the second such incident reported in a month from UP. Similarly, the police firing on protesting farmers in Pune back in August that left three dead is an example of the blatant disregard for human life that our men in uniform sport. The brutality with which lives are snuffed out point to a culture of barbarity that has taken root within the police system.



The problem stems from the fact that our police continue to operate under colonial systems and laws that were designed to subjugate a restive population. The transition to a modern force aimed at serving the public never took place. This has created a policing system that feels its authority over public life is paramount. Even when violent demonstrations occur there is a case for use of non-lethal force, such as water cannon or rubber bullets, in order to subdue demonstrators. But that almost never happens, with police graduating to live bullets straightaway.



Adding to the existing systemic woes are poor service conditions. According to a 2009 Human Rights Watch report, police forces in India are overstretched, overworked and forced to serve in tough conditions without any incentives. This was once again highlighted by the recent revolt of West Bengal armed police personnel serving in the states Maoist-infested areas. Despite their dangerous service assignment, the men were housed in a dilapidated camp with no proper amenities. A CRPF unit asked to stay at the camp refused on grounds that it was unlivable. Factor in that India has a police-to-population ratio of 126 per one lakh people around half the UN-recommended figure and it is not difficult to see why policing is a thankless job.



Underpaid and neglected, it doesn't take much for our policemen to succumb to the temptation of taking short cuts and abusing their authority. And thanks to political patronage, most policemen feel they can get away with impunity for nefarious deeds. This has resulted in a complete lack of accountability to the public, with marginalised sections of society bearing the brunt of police atrocities. The remedy lies in meting out exemplary punishment to erring officers, as well as extensive police reforms. The latter need to focus on better pay and service conditions, and implementing modern police practices aimed at creating a people-friendly force.

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[rhytha]

A Step fwd against Corruption

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Sharing a great experience (happened 23rd Sep 2011), plz do read below:



Yesterday, on the way to office, I was stopped by traffic policemen (Ghazipur, Delhi, 22nd Sep), and asked to show relevant documents of my bike.



I told them that 1) pollution certificate has expired and 2) Insurance copy that I was carrying is also outdated (although I have the renewed Insurance policy but was not carrying at that time).



The senior Inspector told me to that this will reach to a heavy penalty amt. So he offered me to SETTLE DOWN the matter then n there.



... (A thought ran in my mind, asking myself: I was the part of people supporting "Anti-Corruption" movement lead by ANNA HAZARE, just a month back, now the practical situation was in front of me, n how to deal with that).



Suddenly, I got my answer, and I refused them to pay anything, and asked them to issue a CHALLAN. Hence, they issued the same with 2 offenses viz.



1) Expired Pollution and



2) Expired Insurance and retained bike's RC (Registration Certificate).



To pay the penalty I was to appear at Karkardooma Court (room no. 30) by 4pm (23rd Sep). So, I went there, at the scheduled time.



The moment I parked my bike, a bunch of people called Agents approached me and started querying about the matter, and were assuring to do the job done in 15 min. and were telling me that for both the offenses I 'll be charged about Rs. 2000/-, and if I had the Insurance,the amt will be Rs 1100/- at least, but they can settle the matter within 500-600 rupees (including their commission worth Rs. 100), and were even ready to bargain on this.



From parking up to Room no. 30, some dozens of Agents approached me and delivered the same damn story.



I told them "listen, If I were to pay You people then I would have paid the policemen and need not come here".



I submitted the copy of CHALLAN and waited for my turn in Room no. 30.



The (Lady)Judge appeared in the court and began hearings... after 5-7 minutes my name was called and was asked to present the valid Insurance doc. I presented the Original doc. and in fraction of seconds she announced the PENALTY AMOUNT, paid the amount immediately, collected my RC and the Amount Receipt later after the rest of hearings.



HMMM... I know, u all are interested in the Penalty Amount, to my SURPRISE!! as well, it came to just Rs 100/- , (Although, I was ready with the mindset, to pay any amount).



I was getting a feeling of Satisfaction and Proud, in the sense that, ATLEAST I TRIED to live up to the Ideology of 'ANNA's Movement' against Corruption, in real sense.



MORAL: Never hesitate to approach the officials directly to resolve our personal matters. This way, we will get to know the actual rules n regulations and could contribute in removing CORRUPTION.



http://www.facebook.com/notes/balbir-sin...9097632236

[sumishi]

[size="3"][url="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article2500974.ece"]Justice, at last[/url]: The Hindu, Editorial, October 1, 2011



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In many ways, Vachathi was a test case: not so much for the judiciary as for India's social conscience. In June 1992, this tribal hamlet in northern Tamil Nadu was witness to what brutal law enforcers and callous government officials could do to the poor and the powerless. Women were raped, men were assaulted, houses were looted and destroyed, and cattle were killed, all in the name of upholding law, of preventing the illegal felling and smuggling of sandalwood. The planned, systematic attack on Vachathi was carried out quite brazenly.While men in the lower ranks indulged in violence, senior officers watched from a distance. The subsequent attempts at denial and cover-up were indicative of sanction for the attack from elements at the higher levels of the government. That the tribals of Vachathi slowly found their voice in the face of such repression, and fought for justice in the courts during these 19 years with support from social and political organisations and human rights activists, is reflective of the strengths of a democratic society, notwithstanding its obvious inequities and deficits. The wait for justice might have been long and tiresome, but was finally rewarding. That people's struggles can have a decisive impact on the course of justice was clearly demonstrated in the Vachathi case. [/size][size="3"] The 269 persons arraigned as accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation must have thought that they could get away with crimes against the hapless villagers, who were offenders in the eyes of the law. Nothing else can explain the seeming impunity with which they went about the assault on the village.



[/size][size="3"]But what is worrying is that such attacks can happen in the first place. Those given charge of enforcing the law often see themselves as above the law. Uniformed forces, especially, think nothing of trampling on the rights of ordinary citizens. Misuse of power and abuse of authority are seen as perks of office. Security personnel and government officials are themselves steeped in social prejudices, and tend to show little respect for the rights of those lower down in the societal hierarchy. The correct lessons must be learnt from Vachathi. The verdict of the district and sessions court, holding all the 215 surviving accused in the case guilty of various atrocities, should serve as a reminder that the rule of law will have to be upheld everywhere, including in the remotest of villages. Atrocities and violations of rights anywhere shall not go unnoticed, and there can be no refuge for the law-breakers, especially for those from among the law enforcers. Civilised India cannot afford a repeat of Vachathi.

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[sumishi]

[size="3"][url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Four-farmers-killed-in-Assam-police-firing/articleshow/10309005.cms"]Four farmers killed in Assam police firing[/url] : TOI, Oct 11, 2011



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...The farmers were demanding a price between Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per maund (40kg) of jute, while the buyers refused to pay more than Rs 300 to Rs 400, based on the quality of the produce. This angered farmers and they blocked the NH 52 as a mark of protest. "Lately, our expenditure in jute cultivation has been exceeding Rs 2,000 per bigha. The price fixed by the wholesale buyers at Besimari does not even meet our expenditure, let alone bring us profit. We strongly oppose the injustice," said one of the jute farmers at Besimari.[/size]

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