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Delhi’s
image as India’s “crime capital” has grown in recent years. This
is largely because of the greater orientation of the police
towards VIP security than community service. While appreciating
the unique problems faced by Delhi Police, the government of Delhi
must also ensure that the ordinary citizen is not ignored.
Unfortunately, during the past 10 years, the government has given
more attention to the needs of the rich and powerful than the
common man. The movement of criminals from neighbouring states to
Delhi has grown by alarming levels. Prostitution involving
traffickers from all parts of India has invaded even residential
areas. Drug peddling, bootlegging and other social crimes have
become so commonplace that people don’t report them any more.
There
does not appear to be any respect for the law in Delhi. Cars,
trucks, rickshaws and three-wheelers move on the wrong side of
roads with impunity. Traffic lights often don’t work. Prostitution
rings advertise themselves in newspapers as “massage services”
giving the impression that there are no laws against immortal
traffic in Delhi. Chain snatching and other crimes on women have
become such facts of life that people don’t even care to go to the
police stations with their complaints.
This is
a symptom of a greater disease. Delhi Police, which was once
regarded as the country’s premier force, has become an emasculated
entity. The policy of placing Delhi Police under the control of
the Centre is working against the interests of the common man. In
other states of India, the police are under the charge of the
state government which is responsible to the people of that state.
Here in Delhi, a policeman does not need to listen to the local
MLA or Chief Minister. He is responsible only to the Home Minister
of India who has other responsibilities. This is anti-people and
the BJP has raised the demand for greater powers for the state
government in the past as well.
However, even within the prevailing restrictions, there is much
that can be done. The Home Guard force must be made more vibrant.
They could be utilised for policing the lane inside the colonies.
Bicycles/ scooters can be provided to them so that they can move
about more smoothly. The assistance of the RWAs must be sought in
making the movement of women and children safer.
The
influx of Bangladeshis has become a serious problem for law and
order governance in Delhi. Strong and efficient measures must be
taken for identification and deportation of illegal foreigners
because Delhi, or for that matter any state of India, can no
longer afford to play host to hostile aliens. The Law Department
of Delhi government would set up fast track courts for dealing
with crimes under the Foreigners’ Act.
Foreign
terrorist groups are striking with frightening frequency all over
India. Delhi has been targetted before and will certainly be
targetted in the future. There must be an Anti-Terrorism Law for
bringing terrorists to swift justice. However, this is beyond the
pale of the Delhi government and necessarily a central subject.
So, the Delhi administration would try to work within the powers
at its disposal to build up community resistance to terrorist
cells. This will be a priority for the BJP if it is elected to
power. We will work in close concert with civil society, RWAs,
social organisations, clubs, etc. to ensure that Delhi is no
longer a safe haven for terrorists. |
