Futility of Cops for Security

The band of bad boys (police) was spread all over Sagar (M.P) on the day of final decision regarding Ayodhya issue. The district collector announced that schools and colleges can remain opened only till 1PM. On my way back home after closing of my college at 1 PM, I was able to see very less vehicles and people on the roads. I could also notice many police men standing at different points on the road. Some police men were also patrolling the city in many different police vans. The police vehicles loaded with policemen were moving all over city by giving halts of short time at main points of city. Article 144 was imposed on the whole city and according to it more than 2 people can not stand together at one place. An announcement for shop keepers to close their shops was also going on through loud speakers. I was thinking that if so many policemen are there on road for security of civilians then why shopkeepers are required to close the shops. How can we call this situation normal and safe, if everyone has to stop his work? What is the need of police on roads if people have to stay inside homes and if it can not help the people in carrying on with their normal routine? The presence of so many policemen in the absence of civilians was making the atmosphere more sensational in Sagar. I also heard about some incidents in which police beat some boys who were stood in small groups on this day. So, major fear among masses was not of any on toward incident but of police.

In the evening, I came out of home on bike with my husband after the announcement of final decision. I thought that there can not be any bad incident as the court has given its decision in favor of both the parties. Again I could notice only few people and many policemen on road. Only one or two shops were open and there was dreadful silence and darkness in the market .The presence of police was giving the feeling that something is surely going to happen. I concluded at the end of day that the presence of cops for handling any situation of chaos can not provide feeling of safety and security to citizens in general. So, if the government says that administration and security forces were on high alert on this day then it is wrong, rather, the people of India were on high alert on this day as they were conscious toward their safety and security in situations of chaos and disturbance. Moreover people have lost faith in government and police for their security during sensitive conditions and they just want to avoid the sensitive issues by staying at home.

Sudhaamitsaraswat