Behind the Police Lines

A pandemic has gripped the entire world. All countries are grappling with this unprecedented crisis. People across the globe are stunned by ferocity and lethality of this virus. Politicians are baffled by the enormity of the tragedy. Social distancing and quarantine seem to be the buzz word and only solution to the present crisis at least until vaccine is developed.

This is an apocalypse, Chinese created apocalypse wherein not even a single shot was fired, no weapons of mass destruction were used, a scary prophecy which was not even in the realm of Hollywood film makers or was it as was shown in the movie contagion. Although it is apocryphal that this virus affects only human beings but entire humanity is under threat. God, Nature, superpower whatever you believe in, has its own way of setting things rights. Although it may sound philosophical to many but nature has taught human beings, how trivial they are.

Our only saviors are our doctors, our nursing staff, paramedics who are at the front line in this battle against the virus and have put their lives on the line to save humanity from this apocalypse.

But there are others who are also working equally hard away from the limelight those who have to ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed, who have to ensure that people stay indoors. At the same time ensuring adequate supplies reach the people’s home. Law and order is maintained and essential services are not disrupted. Ensuring people cooperate with the district authorities. It is our Police force. Police force is trained to handle law & order situation, to catch criminals to maintain peace and harmony in society but this is different. Police are not trained to handle an epidemic, this is a pandemic of massive proportions. When Doctors and nurses are struggling for PPES and safety equipment these people cannot even ask for this bare minimum requirement.

Think about the much maligned constable who is given the responsibility to handle such a precarious situation. He is often the butt of all jokes and is the subject of all caricatures in newspapers. He has been assigned the most important job i.e. to keep people inside their homes.

There is lot of outrage on Social media glutted with lathi wielding Police men committing atrocities on poor people. But little do we realise that all those people are like churlish school children who only understand the language of stick.

Like in school some children need to be disciplined by the use of stick, similarly in our society some people need to be disciplined by the use of Lathi.

There have also been images of some communities attacking doctors who went out to collect swabs. There is a fear among some communities that Government is deliberately targeting them and they are indulging and rioting and stone pelting. Calling military under the circumstances shall further exacerbate the situation and might be counterproductive.

Services of army might be required in sensitive areas where in people are recalcitrant and do not follow any instructions of district administrations. But then again it is local Police which will hold fort to prevent any further loss of life.

Police is often criticised for being corrupt and hand in gloves with the criminals but in in this times of crisis role of Police is extremely important for they are cognizant of the issues faced by the local people and in such a scenario we need people who are sensitive enough to the concerns of people.

There are insurmountable issues which bedevil our Police forces, corruption is rampant, issues of nepotism, favoritism, and the politicization of Police are often frowned upon . Police reforms are much needed in the country but under the circumstances and in times to come as well it is Police department which shall be a vital cog in our fight against the corona virus.

They might not be in the front line but they are surely leading from the front and our some of our best IPS officers are showing the way.  

Disclaimer :This Post is a tribute to our honest and hard working Police officers.

Image credits : Google Images