AGARTALA, January 20 (TIWN): Left Front government’s democratic mask in Tripura in regard to compliance of apex court’s 7 –point directives for police reform has been opened up when veteran journalist and editor of Ei-Samaya Suman Chattapadhaya addressing a gathering on improving relationship among people police and press organised by a leading Bengali daily recently. It was a common perception till then Tripura is pioneer in India in enactment of Tripura Police Act and formed the Police Accountability Commission (PAC) and leftists including Chief Minister Manik Sarkar used these as a tag of police neutrality in the state.“Forget about the political de-control of police in left ruled Tripura, violating the fundamental principle of the directives the state government constituted PAC from list of their choice avoiding collegiums. It has given opportunity of their people to run the show,” Chattapadhaya commented.He said unless police has been brought out from colonial legacy to perform as designated force to rule the common people for the interest of the political executives, they will remain the work as rulers will and wish.

Chattapadhaya accused police in general in India of violator of human rights within their own. They also got the immunity under law, as during duty policemen is above law in commoners understanding and it has been become a tool for police now.

Taking the advantage of Armed Force Special Power Act in Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, he alleged everyday police is violating the human rights. But when activists raised voice, the state machinery in connivance with political forces suppresses the move.

“Neither state nor media, ever look at the life of a police constable or a poor home guard, how their bosses perpetrate inhuman behavior with them under the cover of colonial practice and everyday rights of junior level in police is violated and left ruled Tripura is no way in better position,” he pointed out.

“To ensure better security, investigation and citizenry, US is having as many as 77 types of police but in India the same police escorting the VIPs and ministers, performing duty as house guard, providing security to political rally, chasing criminals and murders and also investigating the serious crimes; so how can we expect our police will discharge duties efficiently. Moreover, their recruitment, posting and transfer are also solely controlled by the political executives; so how can they be citizen friendly?” he questioned.

On recruitment of police, former Director General of CBI T N Mishra suggested besides, physical and basic education, the state must make psychological test, metal ability, intelligence, legal background and social setting of the prospective policemen mandatory in the process and they should be free from all political interference in all respect; otherwise, the situation will be more pathetic in future.

“We must recognise that a simple FIR of a common man under the guidance of a most junior level officer in police station on duty is the main foundation of justice even at the Supreme Court, if it goes well justice is secured even in the lower court and if FIR lodged and handled weakly Supreme Court even can’t punish the criminals. So, most important is the selection, training and aptitude of junior level police not higher one,” he reminded.

Criticizing the police Mishra attributed that most of the police stations do not register all the criminal reports comes to them, just to show the crime graph dwindling annually that is also for safe guarding the political executives.

“When population is increasing and social expectation is increasing, how crime rate can be decline or remain steady in police record?” he asked.