Wrong men in khaki.

To what extend the Indian police force go wrong is evident from The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering the release of five persons who were sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court after the Punjab Police falsely implicated them in the murder of a man who was actually alive. The court has directed the state government to pay them a compensation of Rs 1 crore (Rs 20 lakh each) within a month. The quantum of compensation announced by the court is unparalleled and an indication of the seriousness of the crime committed by the men in khaki.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict is direct warning to all police in the country especially for those in Kerala. The duty of the police is to protect people and not to harm them. However the Kerala police have shown no improvement in their old style of hideous functioning.

This I say not because of the media bickering on Paul M George murder by notorious goons. The Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan himself has admitted that that the crimes in the state are on the rise despite all efforts. “Blade and real estate mafias are carrying out criminal activities in the state. Crime against women is also taking place. Robberies remain uncontrolled. Several incidents of cyber crimes are also being reported in the state,’’ said the Chief Minister. The police could not achieve cooperation of the people. He also admitted that a small section in the police force is doing damage to the entire force by indulging in malpractices.

It is true that the thoughtless action of certain police functionaries help criminal to escape safely. So it is a need of the hour not to spare the police violating the law and subverting the criminal justice system through “meticulous falsehood”. Criminal police men deserve no leniency. It is only through stern punishment that the image of the police will improve. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering against the wrong doing of men in khaki is an eye opener to all law enforcing agencies in the country.

K A Solaman