Circle Inspector PR Sunu, in charge of the Kozhikode Coastal Police Station, was arrested in a gang rape case shortly after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made a public statement that the government is being forced to bow down in shame because of the misconduct of some members of the police force. Chief Minister has firmly that the government will not tolerate anyone who tarnishes the image of the police force. However, government figures show that the list of those facing criminal cases in the police force has reached 744.

Who should the people rely on if the policemen, who are supposed to guard not only the life and property but also the dignity of the citizens, are involved in all kinds of criminal activities? The misbehaviour of the police force, who should be role models and protectors for the people, cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. That's why any behaviour of theirs that is against society is discussed loudly.

Despite being named accused in criminal cases, 744 members of the state police force continue to be part of the force. 38 policemen are named accused in sexual assault cases. It is a deplorable situation where the law enforcers, who are supposed to provide special protection to women and children, tend to insult their dignity.

Policemen, including the CI, gang-raped the woman, the mother of two children, after promising to release her husband arrested in a case. If such a person was appointed as the in-charge of the police station even after being named accused in the most heinous of crimes, we can understand how lenient the approach of the Home Department is towards such incidents.

The glory of the police force will increase only when the government is ready to give exemplary punishment to such people. Police officers who abuse their power and position and assault women do not deserve to remain in service even for a day. There is no need to wait to see what punishment the court is going to give them. There is a rule to expel such persons if they are found to have committed serious misconduct.

Some people believe that in heinous crimes involving police, the sentence is completed with the accused getting suspended for a short period. This situation should change. Apart from the punishment in the Penal Code, there are other punishments that the government should give to the accused to fulfil its obligations to society. The criminal tendencies among policemen increase as government hesitates to take such actions.

Sexual assault cases against policemen should not be taken lightly at all. Helpless women are the victims in most of these cases. Dismissal, not suspension, is the solution if the police, who are supposed to catch the criminals, commit the crime. Extreme measures like these are required in exceptional circumstances to maintain the reputation of the force. It will be a great message to the policemen who set out for atrocities.