Lt General Bhopinder Singh (Retd)
The devastating scale of the complete meltdown of the civil-police administration in the recent Haryana stir can be gauged by the serious findings of the government instituted, Prakash Singh Committee – 90 officials, including IAS and IPS officers have been found to be guilty of ‘deliberate negligence’. Since then, three Haryana Civil Services (HCS) and 10 DSP-rank officers have been suspended (4 IPS and 3 IAS officers have also been transferred).
Prakash Singh himself, is a respected name in the ‘uniform’ fraternity after having served challenging assignments in the Kashmir Valley and Assam (besides, his parent cadre of Uttar Pradesh), and his expected candour and straight talk has immediately put the uncomfortable spotlight on both the Haryana government, as indeed on the institutional rot that besets the various functioning of the administrative and the policing services. He is arguably one of the most competent authorities and a domain expert, to comment on the crucial aspects leading to the breakdown of the civil administration-police order during the 9 day stir. Earlier, he is known to have articulated many police reforms and even challengedvarious institutionalprocessesin the Supreme Court e.g. the executive interference of State Home Departments in effecting police transfers and postings to suit ulterior ends, which results in the erosion of authority, capability and professionalism of the State Police and the State DGP.
Not surprisingly, Prakash Singh is said to have held the top brass of administration, unambiguously guilty of not exhibiting “the kind of guidance, direction and control” that such a crisis would warrant. Nailing the crippling paralysis that gripped the state, he noted a complete failure of the administrative leadership with the notable absence of any specific directions in handling a crisis of the said magnitude, by the relevant Home department and the equally stark absence of the DGP and his second-in-command, in the affected areas. A damaging free-for-all is alluded to with, “What was lacking was the will to act, the determination to prevent riotous mobs from assembling in the first instance and then dealing with them effectively while they were committing acts of violence, arson, loot or vandalism… officers at the district level, barring a few honourable exceptions, just did not rise to the occasion. They were either unequal to the daunting situation they faced or they could not mobilise the full strength of the officers and men under their command, some of whom went missing or deserted their duties”- dereliction of duty and an element of cowardice, is implied in the language that is disastrous for the image of the administration and especially, the police services.
The scope of the Prakash Singh Committee perhaps does not cover the obvious irresponsibility of the political brass who are equally guilty (if not more) for their politically motivated incitements, leading up to the unrest. The brazen casteist and provocative statements were made by politicians of all hues and parties, recklessly. Yet again, the results of making lazy political promises (without adequate thought about implementation or sincerity to execute), was driven home to a devastating effect – as many as 30 people died, over 200 were injured, properties and civic infrastructure was damaged and worst of all, societal breakdown into caste polarization was achieved). However, rumours of a ‘adverse comment’ against one of the serving Members of Parliament, if true, would be a welcome noting to ink the regressive and petty political role that is usually played in such desperate times.
Amongst the most unfortunate taints afforded on the police personnel were the ‘caste biases’ that ostensibly played a role in the police action (or inaction?) – A sad reflection of the debilitating seepage of the societal curses that hadearlier brought infamy to the state, via the myriad Khap Panchayats, that are caste based. In an era of social media, the sad sight of a large posse of policemen running for their lives will haunt and negatively impact the sense of security, authority and trust that the common man, ought to invest in the policing apparatus. That said, the 450 page report would surely carry invaluable lessons to incorporate in the space of policing reforms, going forward.
Across the country, the prevailing public perception of the police forces does not confirm much confidence or cooperation from the people at large. This public-police-cooperation is absolutely vital for any Police force for intelligence gathering to preempt and prevent any ill-act as opposed to react to any situation, and for minimizing danger as opposed to confronting danger. Fact is, people see it as oppressive and corrupt and hence prefer to minimize interaction, fearing unnecessary harassment or retribution. The terrible nexus of politician-police is deeply intertwined and mutually beneficial in many cases, making sense for them to not cut the vexatious umbilical cord. A singular act of delinking the hyphenated relationship of the Politician-Police nexus, itself will result in unprecedented improvements and needs to be pursued, as a sole-focus action. Often the police are relegated to becoming ceremonial symbols of ‘power props’ for the electorally successful politicians. Whereas in parallel, the curb, distance and insulation of the political influence on the Indian Defence Forces has ensured a higher degree of professionalism, operational capability and public respect.
Everything else aside, the global ratio for population-to-police at 270 per 1, 00,000 is woefully constrained to just about 120, in the case of India. Further, the inadequacy of training, equipment and basic wherewithal, the efficiency and perceptions of the Police forces are not surprising – the behavioural conduct of the Police forces is the outcome of the ground realities and systemic entanglements with the politicos and other vested stakeholders. It would be most prudent for the legislative powers, across the party spectrum to expedite the much needed Police reforms and break the shackles of Politician-Police nexus – the positive impact of which will cut across the lines of socio-economic framework of India. Political taints are always best left to the politicians and the political parties and the games that they play, and not to the men and women serving in any uniform, khaki or olive-green.
In a perverse manner, the Prakash Singh Committee report, though with a specific fact-finding mandate is an providential opportunity to face the institutional rot that exists in various degrees across the multiple police forces in the country – at the end of the day, it is this very band of police soldiers who have also contributed immensely to the resolution of violent insurgencies in Mizoram and Punjab, as indeed havingacquitted themselves with immense individual bravery and professionalism in places like J&K, Maoist areas, North East etc. It isan institutional, systemic and process-wiring issue and not a reflection on the individual capabilities that needs corrective action, the Prakash Singh Committee findings must be accepted wholeheartedly, openly and with an open mind to use the same to usher in the much needed police reforms in the country.
(The author is a former Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands & Puducherry)
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