Mumbai: Protectors of law - beaten and abused. The assault on API Sachin Suryavanshi and a cop in Dhule has shocked the nation. But the fact is, a circular issued by the Mumbai Police Commissioner in 2012 following similar attacks on policemen, was never followed. At that time, the police chief had ordered that apart from the customary FIR, the police must cancel the accused's driving license, issue a look out notice at all airports, inform the Special Branch, which usually carries out police verifications, inform the passport office about the crime, cancel any fire arms licenses and ask employers to black list the accused.
Former policemen say a firm message must be sent out. Former police chief AN Roy said, "Please remember that policemen are the only people from whom, by law, the right of collecting bargaining has been taken away. The policemen cannot form associations, cannot fight for themselves. Can you imagine this situation where a similar incident had occurred to any other group of workers. What response would it lead to?"
Experts say attacks on policemen have far-reaching implications. Psychiatrist Anita Chhabria said, "It sends a wrong message to the entire society. If the protector of the law isn't safe, then how can we be."
Mumbai Police Commissioner has come up with a yet another circular to boost the morale of the force by celebrating birthdays. But these circulars are turning out to be a damp squib, especially when the higher ranks fail to protect the interests of the junior rank officers when in need.
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