The sine qua non of any good governance is assuring security of life and property to the citizens. To ensure this, immediate serious and sustained attention is required to revamp the entire system of policing and collection of intelligence.

Many areas like strength, proper recruitment, effective training, reformation of substantive and procedural laws, investigative procedure, speedy court trial, satisfactory conditions of service, and provision of better communication system, modern fire arms, quality bullet-proof jackets, night vision devices, have to be attended to on priority, if the nation is serious about improving intelligence and preventing crime and violence, let alone preventing and dealing with increasing incidents of insurgency and terrorism.

During the last few days the usually much-maligned policemen have come in for round the clock praise, admiration, appreciation and even adoration of not only the entire media, but also the people at large.

This is due to the valour and dedication with which the security forces fought and neutralized the barbaric terrorists at Mumbai. While saving many more innocent lives, 16 police and NSG personnel including three senior IPS officers and one Major made the supreme sacrifice. In public perception they stood out as Heroes, while others in the system failed to discharge their duties.

In India, almost every year, nearly one thousand policemen of all ranks get killed in the line of duty. Many more thousands of policemen work for long hours, round the clock even during festivals and often far from their near and dear. Yet the police force does not get due recognition, appreciation or respect, only because of the wrongdoings of some unscrupulous and self seeking elements, who can be found in every walk of life.

This is due to undermining of morale and discipline because of the increasing politicisation of the police force. There is an increasing tendency on the part of powerful sections of every ruling party to meddle with the postings and transfers of police officers, investigations and even in disciplinary matters undermining the discipline, accountability, authority and hierarchy in the department. Senior officers plead helplessness. This also becomes a handy alibi or excuse for their non-performance.

When police who are expected to perform their duties objectively and impartially are perceived as tools in the hands of those in power for the time being, people lose faith and trust in them and hence do not extend cooperation. Unless the police enjoy respect and confidence of the public, they will not be able to collect basic intelligence, prevent, detect or successfully prosecute criminals. If they cannot effectively deal with even ordinary crime and law and order situations, how are they going to deal with insurgency and terrorism?

The foremost task before the nation is to insulate the police force from undue influence from outside and make them accountable and responsible as instruments of law to regain the confidence of the public. Unless the credibility and effectiveness of the police is restored, as it happened in the UK, our fight against terrorism cannot succeed.