Lalit Shastri

In recent years, significant attention has been directed towards the development of economic infrastructure, particularly in the construction of highways at both national and state levels. While this focus on physical connectivity is crucial for overall development, it is imperative to address the equitable distribution of resources, especially in connecting remote villages with all-weather roads. Plenty of work has been done in this sector through the Prime Minister rural road scheme and Chief Minister Rural Roads Scheme but still a lot is required in terms of expanding the network of roads and ensuring their proper maintenance as these roads are essential not only for development but they also play a vital role in facilitating efficient policing and maintaining law and order in far-flung areas.

The perception of law enforcement among the common populace remains a concern. The prevailing image of a policeman, often indifferent to the woes of the common man, raises questions about the methods employed in policing. There is a prevalent perception that brute force takes precedence over scientific and modern investigation techniques, with coercive methods being employed to extract confessions.

One key issue within the policing system involves the registration of crimes. Allegations suggest that in a vast number of cases First Information Reports (FIRs) are not filed due to many reasons leading to a lack of accountability. The obvious and over-riding link or relationship between politics and policing, alongside many diverting influences exerted by the powerful members of society has created an environment leading to gaping gaps and police does not always appear to function impartially.

Cybercrime also has emerged as a critical challenge, requiring a paradigm shift in policing strategies. The exponential growth of technology has opened new avenues for criminal activities, demanding a proactive and technologically savvy approach from law enforcement agencies. The need for specialized units within the police force to tackle cyber threats is more pressing than ever.

Corruption and mismanagement are problems not limited to a section of the delinquent in the police force. The malaise extends across various government departments and even the larger society. It is disconcerting to see officials in the police, revenue and transport departments taking advantage of hardworking citizens money. This calls for reforms as people are growing increasingly frustrated with such exploitative practices.

One of the challenges faced by police stations is the shortage of staff and general lack of resources at the ground level. To address these issues effectively we need to assess the factors that hinder policing. Often resources get diverted towards providing security for VIPs, impacting investigations and overall law enforcement within communities.

There is also perceptible frustration among a large section of the police force at the cutting edge level as many have been forced to stagnate at one post while the system of reservation in promotion for the “reserved category” has given them the advantage of climbing the ladders of success through quick promotions.

A significant contributor to what could be treated as a drag when it comes to maintaining the law and order situation is the misallocation of resources and mismanagement within the police force itself. While there may be a focus on creating senior level positions it is imperative that we prioritize increasing manpower, at grassroots levels, more so in far flung areas. The lack of manpower at the cutting-edge level undermines the police force’s ability to meet its main responsibility of ensuring security and law and order.

Then we have the huge problem of traffic regulation and enforcement. Under Section 190(2) in The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle, which violates the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air-pollution, shall be punishable for the first offence with a fine of one thousand rupees and for any second or subsequent offence with a fine of two thousand rupees.

Notwithstanding the law of the land, many unscrupulous citizens have illegally installed hooters and high beam lights above the roof line of their cars.

It’s important to note that only ambulances, police personnel on law and order duty, and convoys of VVIPs, who have been provided with special security cover due to the threat perception, have the legal right to use hooters and nobody else. If everyone starts using hooters, which has now become a common problem, obviously it would be difficult to know who should have the right of way and who should not.

This problem has spread like cancer and the so- called VIPs who draw power from their hierarchy in the political space or closeness to politicians in power think it is their birth right to throw their weight around, demonstrate their authority and bulldoze their way on the road. The situation gets worst confounded by the tendency of many government officers to assert their position and they use the number plates of their official vehicles to flash even their entire postal addresses. Some members of the higher and subordinate judiciary can also be seen being driven in their official cars that have number plates announcing as if the Court is on the move. If that is the case, one wonders how many of them have taken suo-moto cognisance of violation of traffic rules or flaws in the management of traffic, especially over speeding and reckless driving.

Another problem worth noting is the habit of many who drive at night with high beams. Light abuse on our roads has touched alarming levels. When driving at night if you glance at the rear-view mirror, almost hundred per cent of the headlights are on high beam. It is rare to see people driving on low beam these days and the problem gets magnified by the latest mercury lights.

When driving like a decent citizen in low-beam behind a vehicle, it is like a nightmare when suddenly someone driving a vehicle behind bombards you with the high beam. It is like precision scalpels directly into the eye. Then we have the recklessly driven and over-speeding city buses and municipal dumpers, and of course the drivers insulated by officialdom who care a hoot for the right of way of the common citizens on the road.

The big question is what about people’s right of way on our roads. What’s wrong is assumed to be right as driving straight on a main road it is considered normal when suddenly from a connecting road or bye-lane comes a recklessly driven SUV, a commercial/ municipal vehicle, a huge water tanker or a school bus and they do this without following the “stop-look-go” rule. In this way, they smash one’s right of way. Every time one escapes a hit in a scenario like this, one is surely lucky. As if all this is not enough, there are these three wheelers -autos and tempos and goods carriers – for them, lane driving is an alien concept, they know nothing about it. Question arises what is the traffic police doing about all this or is their job restricted only to set up barricades at important points during the rush hour to check papers, and penalise those who are without helmets or not using the seat belts?

Addressing policing challenges effectively necessitates a strategy that encompasses distribution of resources embracing technological advancements to tackle cybercrime and restructuring the police force to prioritize the needs of local communities. Without these measures law enforcements effectiveness will remain compromised posing a risk to security and impeding development as a whole.