There are too many things that have become plagues to the once beautiful city of Pune. The worst of it is the condition of law and order in the city. There was a time when Pune was one of the cities where you could throw caution to the wind at any time during the day, evening or night. The law and order enforcement was focused on actually protecting the people and keeping the city, well, in order. Today, as I see things go from bad to worse across the entire span of police enforcement dominion, from traffic through to crime prevention, I cannot help but wonder if lawlessness is a natural outcome of commercial progress.
I am a daily victim of the nightmare that is traffic congestion in this city. And, while no one is competing, traffic in Hinjewadi is by far the highest ranking incidence in the list of traffic mismanagement. Very commonly you would see police personnel huddling at a cross section while vehicles stand in paralysis, having locked up in a multi-directional flow. Run if you are riding a bike as you will necessarily stand the highest chance of getting caught (while every one else can break the rules at will), haggling over satisfying police greed; unless you are in shabby clothes with what I call the knock-off Nehru cap. That, of course, signifies a free pass from all forms of traffic violations from driving on the wrong side to the bikers equivalent of jaywalking when high. On the rare occasion that you stand a chance of getting caught in a 4 wheel drive, your free pass is either a yellow license plate or some nature of saffron insignia; signifying that the drivers belong to a creed lawlessness that must be allowed to flourish. I have seen cops stop cars and bikes and all manner of vehicles but never one with the insignia. And dare you protest or come into a conflict that it's rightfully yours to engage and win, you are abused if your stars are aligned. There have been incidents where protesters have become victims of violence and damage. As the cops stand by watching, of course.
Which brings me to the incidence of criminal behavior. As it had come to pass, these days, there is some incidence of criminal activity you get to hear almost everyday. And it ranges from snatching phones and purses, through assault to abduction of women. And all in broad daylight. This was a once in a while occasion where you would get to hear of criminal incidents in Pune. Maybe it is just the diminishing fear of police or of God or of whoever is the angel on the shoulder, but it has unfortunately become a city where it is unsafe to be out on the streets.
The Pune Police website says "You can be a law abiding citizen by being a law enforcing citizen . ANNONIMITY ASSURED Inform the police regarding crime, accident or any offense
on dedicated lines : 26121685 / 26208100 - (extn.)295. or Police Control Room at 26126296, 26122880, 100." But how true and effective is this? One of the things that has seen a keen increase these days is police discrimination. On many occasions, there have been instances of people having actually reached out to the police where they have been either snubbed as people from outside the state (if you can speak Marathi, all is well) or been asked to pay for results. This points to only one corollary that the police themselves are hand in glove with the criminals of this city.
While I am still proud to say that Pune is safer than the bold and unabashed violence in some other parts of the country where murder and rape are the substances of daily (almost Page 3) consumption, I am deeply saddened by the fact that we are headed in the direction.
I refuse to believe that low police funding is a reason for this since I see VIPs getting their kids married in full police protection. I can (with a great deal of difficulty) understand why some lowly minister and politicians need police protection (for all you know they could be shot at or killed by true patriots). But why kids and invitees need to be protected by the police, is beyond comprehension. So, there is sufficient funding and there is sufficient source of funding, were it not to find its way into the private coffers of the cops. Someone needs to put them to good and effective use.
We have a good code of law, a painfully slow judiciary and now an almost defunct police force with the responsibility to implement the law. Must it require national media attention before someone decides to act!!!
I am a daily victim of the nightmare that is traffic congestion in this city. And, while no one is competing, traffic in Hinjewadi is by far the highest ranking incidence in the list of traffic mismanagement. Very commonly you would see police personnel huddling at a cross section while vehicles stand in paralysis, having locked up in a multi-directional flow. Run if you are riding a bike as you will necessarily stand the highest chance of getting caught (while every one else can break the rules at will), haggling over satisfying police greed; unless you are in shabby clothes with what I call the knock-off Nehru cap. That, of course, signifies a free pass from all forms of traffic violations from driving on the wrong side to the bikers equivalent of jaywalking when high. On the rare occasion that you stand a chance of getting caught in a 4 wheel drive, your free pass is either a yellow license plate or some nature of saffron insignia; signifying that the drivers belong to a creed lawlessness that must be allowed to flourish. I have seen cops stop cars and bikes and all manner of vehicles but never one with the insignia. And dare you protest or come into a conflict that it's rightfully yours to engage and win, you are abused if your stars are aligned. There have been incidents where protesters have become victims of violence and damage. As the cops stand by watching, of course.
Which brings me to the incidence of criminal behavior. As it had come to pass, these days, there is some incidence of criminal activity you get to hear almost everyday. And it ranges from snatching phones and purses, through assault to abduction of women. And all in broad daylight. This was a once in a while occasion where you would get to hear of criminal incidents in Pune. Maybe it is just the diminishing fear of police or of God or of whoever is the angel on the shoulder, but it has unfortunately become a city where it is unsafe to be out on the streets.
The Pune Police website says "You can be a law abiding citizen by being a law enforcing citizen . ANNONIMITY ASSURED Inform the police regarding crime, accident or any offense
on dedicated lines : 26121685 / 26208100 - (extn.)295. or Police Control Room at 26126296, 26122880, 100." But how true and effective is this? One of the things that has seen a keen increase these days is police discrimination. On many occasions, there have been instances of people having actually reached out to the police where they have been either snubbed as people from outside the state (if you can speak Marathi, all is well) or been asked to pay for results. This points to only one corollary that the police themselves are hand in glove with the criminals of this city.
While I am still proud to say that Pune is safer than the bold and unabashed violence in some other parts of the country where murder and rape are the substances of daily (almost Page 3) consumption, I am deeply saddened by the fact that we are headed in the direction.
I refuse to believe that low police funding is a reason for this since I see VIPs getting their kids married in full police protection. I can (with a great deal of difficulty) understand why some lowly minister and politicians need police protection (for all you know they could be shot at or killed by true patriots). But why kids and invitees need to be protected by the police, is beyond comprehension. So, there is sufficient funding and there is sufficient source of funding, were it not to find its way into the private coffers of the cops. Someone needs to put them to good and effective use.
We have a good code of law, a painfully slow judiciary and now an almost defunct police force with the responsibility to implement the law. Must it require national media attention before someone decides to act!!!
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