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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Sunday, 16 February 2025 9.51 PM IST

Even police officers are not safe

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The majority of people in society are law-abiding citizens. However, when a situation arises where there is no one to question or take action, even those who follow the law may be tempted to break it. Meanwhile, criminals and gangsters will seize the opportunity to act without restraint. The increasing number of attacks on police officers, both individually and in groups, is a clear indication that the state is heading towards such a lawless condition. When even the police, who are responsible for maintaining law and order, are not safe, it is the first sign of anarchy. There was a time when no gangster would dare to even touch a police officer’s uniform. But now, criminals have no hesitation in publicly attacking and humiliating police officers.

The recent incident in Kottayam, where a police officer was beaten to death by a criminal, is not an isolated case. These incidents keep repeating because of the growing belief that nothing will happen, even if police officers are assaulted, videos of such attacks circulate on social media, or criminals are forcibly released from police stations. The deceased police officer is Shyam Prasad, a native of Manjoor. The criminal committed the murder after learning that Shyam Prasad was a police officer. The perception that both the police and society around him are incapable of responding is what gives criminals the courage to commit such acts.

The increasing use of drugs is not the only reason behind such incidents. Many perpetrators believe that as long as they have political influence and money, they can escape punishment. This mindset needs to change. The only solution is an extremely strong and impartial law enforcement system. What is urgently required is a police force that does not maintain friendly ties with criminals. The lack of such a strong system is one of the primary reasons for the horrifying violent incidents happening in Kerala today. Kottayam itself has witnessed multiple attacks on police officers in the past few months. In November, officers were assaulted near Erumeli during a vehicle inspection. In October, police responding to a conflict outside a bar in Manarcaud were beaten up. In August, a police aid post in Nagampadam was vandalized by a group. Officers have also been attacked in Kuravilangad, Chingavanam, and Kidangoor in various incidents.

In the past, whenever such incidents occurred, the police would take extremely strict legal action. However, now, those who attack the police end up becoming even bigger gangsters. Excessive political interference, corruption, close ties between police officers and criminals, and the rampant spread of drug abuse are all contributing to this dangerous situation. A society that applauds and encourages violence cannot be allowed to take root. Those responsible for maintaining law and order must take this as a moment for serious self-reflection. If leadership is compromised, that weakness will spread throughout the system. The Home Department must step up and implement a comprehensive overhaul. If criminals, drug traffickers, and gold smuggling mafias are given free rein, Kerala will become an unlivable place for law-abiding citizens. Those in power must keep this in mind.

TAGS: POLICE OFFICERS, POLICE
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