Police officers are treated as football

While inaugurating a three day meet at Delhi on 14 September, of the state police chiefs the Home Minister of India stated that the State Governments are maintaining a old mindset and old habits.

He also had a very significant comment on police that- It is a matter of deep regret that many police officers have been reduced to a football, to be kicked here and there.

He also said that- the State Governments are unwilling-or unable -to revamp their recruitment procedures and make them, time bound and transparent.

The Home Minister even questioned the police chiefs that- I ask you to search your hearts ans answer the question, what is the length of tenure of a District Superintendent of Police ? What is the average length of tenure of a Station House Officer ? Why do you remain silent when arbitrary postings are made by the State Governments ? Is it not your duty on behalf of your officers but also on behalf of the people that you are duty bound to protect ?

Yes, our Home Minister is very much right in his own opinion. But in my opinion Central Govenment is also equally responsible for these. Sixty years ago, at the time of our independence law and order was certainly to an extent was a state subject, but now it can not be treated as a state subject. Central Govrnment is generally maintaining a distance by describing a deadly situation created by terrorist organisations as a state law and order subject in so many occassions. Revamping of the police department is the need of the time, and it can be done only by the Central Govenment. In my opinion police department also probably donot know what they are for, what they should do and what they are doing. If one notice he will certainly see that, more or less fifty percent of the state police department are bound to engaging themselves for the protection of Ministers. MPs, MLAs, Officials, Political leaders etc. Only a few percentage is for the protection of the general people. Say, the population of your state is 10 crores and your state has 10000 policemen, then you will find that about four to five thousand policemen are with the duties of such VIPs. Rest five to six thousand has to maintain the state law and order and to control those 10 crore people. I think it is not possible. I donot know how many police officers are engaged for the protection of the Central Cabinet Ministers, but I am sure it will count to thousands.

Hence, I think Central Government also has to change their old mindset and old habits at least for the sake of the general people that today nothing is a state subject, if it is a law and order problem.

Yes, Police officials are reduced to a football to be kicked here and there. Yes, they are becoming like puppets to be contrilled by the ruling parties. Police officials also like to be a puppet, as their postings, promotions, transfers all done by these political leaders.

Recruitment in police department is like a money making machine, so there is no hope as well that the Sate Government will revamp the recruitment procedures.

But, though the Home Minister is very much right in his opinion, it is qute sure that the whole system of the administrative setup is maintaining -as he said- a old mindset and old habits, all government officials are reduced to a football to be kicked here and there, corruption is everywhere, from Central Government level to Panchayat level.

It is good that the Home Minister assumes that the policemen have hearts, till today I as a true citizen of this country I never had an opprtinity to think about the police that they may have any TYPE of heart in their heart.

Actually I find the whole episode as a rediculous one to a bigger extent.

Dear readers, this is my first writing. If anything wrong I have mentioned in the process please forgive and do comment and advice. Your comments, suggestions, advices are very much awaited by me.