November 5, 1961

Himalayan Times

Throe

CAUSES OF POLICE FAILURE ANALYSED

At Rotary Meeting

( From Oar Correspondent )
Darjeeling Oolober, 31

- Attributing polioe fai-
lure in the ourrent let
up to four principal cau-
ses, Mr D. G. Bhattachar
jee D. I. G. Police, Nor
thern Circle, told Rotary
members here in the last
meeting that the work of
ths polioe in recent years
bad been drawing increa-
sed public attention, par-
ticularly this year during
which the police all over
India celebrates its cen
tenary as , a atatuatory
force. Outlining the cau-
ses he said, they were,
want of public coopera-
tion, lack of suitable per-
sonnel, the Government's
polioy ami law oouris and
legal flaws.

The police he said
conld succeed in prevent-
ing crime and bringing
the oflendqrs . to justice
only with public coope-
ration, and good-will Cor
rect statements by the
complement and witness
were essential.' "We have
often condemned the po-
lice force in India after
oomparing in with Great
Britain which has the
finest polioe force in tbe
world, but there tbe po-
lice are the luckiest not
only in getting publio co-

operation in the persons
of willing and truthful
witnesses but often in the
person of the aeoused'
himself."

Talking about polioe
failure to get public co
operation Mr. fihattacbar-
jee said the surest way.
to get Mich cooperation
was an efficient policeman
— honest police helpful
and resourceful.

The second great prob-
lem was persoonal. I here'
bad been a dfinite lower
ing in the standard of
recruits. Constables were
the backbone of the foroe,
but the present day re-
cruit was hopelessly in-
adequately equipped to
meet the respons bilities
of his. force. Whereas'
there was an increasing
literacy among the public
the polioe recruit tf today
did not reflect this trend.
"He cannot therefore com-
mand publio esteem and
attention unless he is
•himself equally literate,
if not superior to the
average man in the street
he is oalled upon to deal
with," Mr. Bhattacbarjee
commented. Sub inspec-
tors were the bone of the
investigating staff but

poor pay did, not draw
good recruits. Bo far us
superior officers were oon>
oerned, problems, of l»*
and order, paper work
and sensivity of a oritioal
publio had so vastly in-
creased that they found
it. diffiouH ..: to discharge
their duties as' an expert
on crime. Here Govern-
ment policy had pot been
helpful, police would have
fared better "and oonld
bring many more offenders
to justice but for the pP:
licy in high quarters where
the breakers- of law had
not been braught to book
on the mistaken notion
of keeping communal end
sooial harmony: DepreoeV
ting this kid gloved.polioy
he said "I have been
witness id some of. the
worst'communal riots in
this. State beginiflg: with
tii'e great Caloutta Killing

. of 1H46, but in no case
can I remember where
many '.. offenders were.

; brought to justice. Cases
were' started, investiga-
tions undertaken, com-
missions-were set up but
finally most of the la*
breakers escaped justioe
at the intervention of the
leaders of the community
and Government aooept-
ing their advice.".

The last probjem re-
lated to law oourts and
itB great dealy Seeondly
many courts in India
dolt out more law than
justice. Pointing out some
( Continued on page 6)