Facing intense criticism in society over embolden acts of criminals and enlarging sphere of crime in Jammu province, the leadership in police organization on Wednesday ventured into PR exercise with media persons through High Tea interaction. No doubt, in a civilized society engaging stake holders for meaningful discussions observe as good practices, however, in the current scenario; this endeavor of cops is construing as a dexterous ploy to project deteriorating law and order as per their convenience. The couplet of famous poet Shahab Jafri describe this situation aptly :
“तू इधर उधर की न बात कर ये बता कि क़ाफ़िला क्यूँ लुटा”
मुझे रहज़नों से गिला नहीं तिरी रहबरी का सवाल है”
It is disheartening to see that the Jammu –known as city of temples has suddenly facing an increase in crime rates. Despite best efforts by the police administration, the crime in Jammu seems to be on the rise in the past few years. Several incidents of crime which have shaken the public in Kathua, Samba and Jammu region should be a serious cause of concern for police organization in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. Killing of a young police officer in Kathua, murder at Jewel Chowk, broad day light robbery in Greater Kailash, firing incidents at Phallain Mandal and lawlessness prevailing on ring road are manifestations of the expanding mafia culture in Jammu.
It is an established fact that organized crimes have their roots in land, illegal mining and narcotics sale which is now seen as unstoppable ills afflicting the region. Even, lackadaisical approach towards tenant verification has turned the city of temples into a safe den for anti-social activities including prostitutions, satta and narcotics sale. This unacceptable burgeoning crime graph is also draining the robust image of Union Home Ministry which solely enjoys control over Police organization through LG in J&K UT. Reportedly, there is no reference about deplorable crime scenario in Jammu in a high level security meeting which was chaired by LG, Sh. Manoj Sinha in Jammu on Thursday.
For effective control of rising crime in Jammu, it’s imperative for the police to set its house in order and devise way and means to ensure accountability of SHOs. Repetition of same set of officers as SHOs must be discouraged and rotation must accord priority besides schooling cops that they are public servants and not masters in uniform. Equally require supervision of patrolling vehicles on real time basis through use of technology and strengthening local intelligence grid considered as part of basic policing to tackle crimes and criminals. Equally, significant is public participation in tackling crimes. However, the surge in crime attributes that these factors over the years were weakened leading to increase in crimes. The problem has been further complicated due to reluctance of SHOs and their supervisory officers to move frequently in the field. The genesis of problem rests within system itself which is a matter of serious introspection for top leadership in police organization so as to identify gaps in functioning of police Stations adopting SWOT analysis.