Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Improve the laws and strengthen the legal machineries' that was published in Newsband

Improve the laws and strengthen the legal machineries

There is need to modify policing. The police officials go frustrated after their day long duties involving bandobast for netas’ visits, security for V.I.Ps etc. There should be separate department for this kind of work (for governmental works) and the police department should whole and solely dedicate to public so they can work better for them. We are a democratic nation. The government’s first priority is to serve the public. Their own security should be given second priority. But what is happening is just the opposite. The police should be able to create a feeling of sense of security among the members of the public. Just the sight of them should provide relief to the public. But there are certain policemen who behave in such a way that people feel threatened by their presence. By and large we need reforms in police department. It is not known as to why the government is not talking about police reforms and de-politicizing police force? These are pending for a long time.

Even the public has certain responsibilities. They are expected to cooperate with the police and government. During the terrorist strikes like in Pathankot the armchair people criticised the government for not doing things properly. The local government is well aware of what they should do but they expect the members of the public too to extend their cooperation during the times of crisis. Yes, if law is not used effectively the blame should lie with the implementing authority. For example there were attacks after attacks in Maharashtra during Congress/NCP rule. Compared to that Gujarat was very peaceful. At least the government there could prevent any act of terrorism. People should learn to give credit where it is due.

Unfortunately people who are affected by acts of terrorism like widows, disabled ones, orphans and whose future career is cut short are forgotten by media and activists who support or condone not only acts of terrorism by law but work against punishment including death penalty. All such opposing people should be treated as anti-nationals and given appropriate treatment.

We are living in extra ordinary circumstances; any failure of law and order machinery in nabbing the terrorists and their sympathizers has a very serious effect. Neither the government nor the privileged ones are affected. Those who are most affected are the ordinary people.

Laws can be reduced to a mockery through improper application. Crime control needs only better resources and training. The existing tools are not enough for the police to combat crime when the criminals are using increasingly sophisticated weapons, tools and technologies. The man-made laws obviously require constant up-gradation? The police forces need better resources and laws need to be improved with time.

India also needs strong but fair terror bills to prevent the spread of terror, from whichever source it may be. Both are like 'cancers' and must be 'nipped in the bud'.