The Hindustan Times, September, 27, 1998
Haryana cops praised as crime graph soars
KARNAL, Sept. 26 (HTC)
While Chief Minister Bansi Lal admits that the crime graph has gone up in the State, and the public is dismayed by their performance, Home Minister Mani Ram Godara has patted the Haryana Police on their back.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 30th Police Sports at Madhuban, 10 km from here, on Thursday, he advised the police to adopt the latest technology and hone the training technique of their personnel.
Mr Godara said that the State Police's performance in venous spheres was outstanding in the country and that it was capable of maintaining peace and nabbing culprits.
However, with 555 murders having been committed up to Aug 31 this year and 358 incidents of abduction 25 per cent more than last year in the corresponding period not to speak of a large number of incidents of chain and vehicle snatching, Mr Godara's praise is unlikely to go down well with the people.
But despite the poor record of the present Government, it will be wrong to single it out for browbeating. The record of the previous Bhajan Lal Government (1991-96) is hardly better.
School teacher Sushila's murder in Hisar, University lecturer Rajinder Suhag's murder in Rohtak, Jatinder Pehal's murder in Jond, Renuka's murder in Yamunanagar, Shekhon's murder in Shabhad are a few glaring examples in which the Government was bitterly criticised.
In Kannal itself, while two sons of a local trader, Krishan Lal were found murdered within a week, in January 1995, an NDRI scientst's wife was murdered at her residence in broad daylight in the old housing board colony. Moreover, the case of 19-yearold Draupadi, who disappeared after a birthday party at a local hotel, three years ago has yet to be solved. As regards the Devi Lal Chautala regime (1987-91), the less said the better. People still remember the alleged depredations of the "Green Brigade".
Inadequate police force, old training methods, scrapping of prohibition, corruption, and now the culprits' tendency to approach the Human Rights Commission for redressal are some of the reasons for the worsening law and order situation in the State. The real reason, however, according to a former Deputy Commissioner, is different. "We do not govern any more, we only manage (crisis)."
There is no dearth of honest and conscientious police officers, but due to caste, regional and political considerations, they are seldom given responsible postings.
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