India’s Shoot-Out Cops

indian_police_0130.jpg

We recently posted on Ensaaf’s new report that studies the all too common practice of extra-judicial killings (usually referred to as ‘encounters’) and the mass cremations that followed by the Punjab police forces during the 1980s and 1990s. Well it looks like these practices were not limited to Punjab and these serious human rights violations are finally hitting the mainstream media.

This week, Time magazine writes about “Rights Groups Probe India’s Shoot-Out Cops“:

Scarcely a day passes in India by without news of an encounter between the police and criminals elements — “encounter” being the local jargon for shootouts involving the police, who are allowed to fire only in self-defense. On Wednesday, it was a “dreaded mafia don” who was gunned down by the Uttar Pradesh police — shot dead, and therefore unable to challenge the police account of the circumstances of the shooting. But some in India have begun to question the frequency of such “encounters”.

It seems that techniques perfected in Punjab have now been exported across India.

“Encounter” has been a dirty word in India for decades, especially since the Punjab insurgency of the 1980s and 1990s. Not only did an encounter allow the security forces to bypass the often slow and unreliable criminal justice system, it also brought promotions and gallantry awards. Human rights activists have for years protested the growing incidence of encounters, some of them allegedly staged. “Encounters have become the norm,” says Vrinda Grover, lawyer and human rights activist. “They have become the police’s preferred method to deal with not just terrorists, but criminals of all kinds.” Legends of “encounter specialist” cops abound, and one of them was even the subject of the Bollywood film Ab Tak Chhappan (“So far 56”, implying the number of people he had killed).

Activists allege that in numerous instances, evidence has been planted after a shooting in order to justify police claims that officers had acted in self defense. Encounters are meant to be probed by a magistrate following a post-mortem, but critics point out that the investigative work in such probes is undertaken by the police themselves. They also allege that such tactics enjoy tacit approval from the authorities in areas plagued by insurgencies. In 2003, a National Human Rights Commission proposal on new norms on encounters suggested that investigation on behalf of a magisterial probe be handled by a different police station from the one where the officers involved are based, but its recommendations have yet been adopted.

However, as KPS Gill and other student’s of the “shoot-first” school of thought contend, these practices continue to be justified on the basis of doing what it takes to protect public interests and security.

The growing incidence of encounters is viewed by some analysts as a symptom of police disenchantment with the justice system. “The system is so defective and the criminal justice machinery so lethargic that it takes years to bring the guilty to book,” explains G.P. Joshi, a former police officer now a consultant with the Commonwealth Human Rights Commission. “But crime continues to increase, and statistics show that conviction rates are down. This tendency promotes vigilantism in the public and the police. And the state also comes out in support, in consonance with public reaction.”

Thankfully, this BS is facing increased public criticism.

Public reaction is far from uniformly supportive of tough police tactics, however. A recent encounter in New Delhi’s Jamia Nagar district sparked a protest from members of the Muslim community, who claimed that the police had presented no evidence to back their claim that the two Muslim men killed in the action had been linked with bombing in the capital. “It is no wonder that the minority community feels victimized,” says Joshi. “Even within the police, there is a divide which shows up in their dealing of communal problems. Numerous inquiry commissions have noted that prejudice exists among the police.”

While it has taken far too long for Punjab’s counterinsurgency victims, only good things can come from increased scrutiny and attention being paid to police practices.


bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark bookmark
tabs-top


30 Responses to “India’s Shoot-Out Cops”

  1. adminpool says:

    On account of our modern-day living standard were creating trap for the next age group; that is to use the pollution were also collaborating to damage forest to make forest involving concrete. In addition to that;constructionist

  2. adminpool says:

    It's true that almost all of the first schedules are held at the coffee look. Such an area is an excellent idea given it has throughout built conversation within it. So in relation to the ideal spots for the night to recollect here are generally another pair.best dating advice for men

  3. adminpool says:

    Gonna something entertaining for the first date is perhaps a very good place mainly because it will leave a good lasting feeling. Getting on the club a long time prior to show start off is the best way to get to find out your night out and futher get pleasure from your entertainment time jointly. If you possibly can joke and enjoy your time on the date you happen to be more when compared with guaranteed.herpes dating uk

  4. adminpool says:

    Even as we tend to everyone apprehend, fashion will often be terribly tough to visit. In the trade in which one coloring, material as well as pattern will often be insanely hot 60 seconds or so and fully out next, there's minor doubt that will maintaining 's no straight onward task. To never worry, we're here to help you out type by way of all bigger fashion reports and tendencies and preserve you striving stylish.fashion art music

  5. adminpool says:

    Should you be within manner, you will certainly can discover this everyone enjoys Manner Week adore it is Winter holiday. You're gonna comprehend why they may holiday over their own personal base trying to find some front-row Harley seats and ogling inside extremely selections.fashion schoenen

  6. adminpool says:

    Fashion allows us to know tons around a new someone, how that they spice up, that that they place his or her attire throughout concert suggests somebody they are actually each morning. Possibly even individuals that claim to never ever what you should see happy how that that they feel on the other hand show an account concerning who they are really as effectively as might know about think of yourself as.fashion smart

  7. home loan says:

    Decorating your house ordinary manner who's attracts attention and turn into comfortable as well can certainly be a very intricate task. Should you be thinking of developing some visible changes at your residence that can be worth some time.

  8. dream home says:

    Yearly the Vickrays Area Primary Institution organizes a new field trip in their institution program. This can be done while using notion that will “All work with out play, creates Jack a new dull son.

  9. house hold says:

    The luxury housing industry will go through a number of thrilling conditions in the us. Existing va homes are generally remaining low and also dynamic, and tailored home builders are getting employed over any longer recently.

  10. Should you be thinking with regards to hiring a new roof preservation service and then you’ll want to make certain they might be trusted knowning that they'll do a fantastic job. The problem that quite a few people get is any time they use a ceiling maintenance assistance,

  11. Surprisingly, a corporate and business event just as one excuse for you to celebrate along with mingle isn’t while relaxing mainly because it sounds. The truth is, it might be downright tense as professionals circulate with leads and co-workers. For a lot of attendees, it is usually awkward along with nerve-racking to attempt small discuss with these men and women.

  12. rehman says:

    Should you be thinking with regards to hiring a new roof preservation service and then you’ll want to make certain they might be trusted knowning that they'll do a fantastic job. The problem that quite a few people get is any time they use a ceiling maintenance assistance,cleaning-house

  13. As the pollution, dust as well as smoke just seeks in order to exacerbate the issue. I fault planning or the shortage thereof with this most horrible situation, and try once we might, I concern this just might be irredeemable, given the current circumstances.

  14. callhomeit says:

    Because excited since you may be concerning the finished item, the procedure for home remodeling could make even probably the most levelheaded individual go just a little crazy. Discover some methods to keep your own sanity in this hectic procedure.

  15. ebookhome says:

    Catch on some excellent home redesigning upgrades with regard to spring! Not just can house upgrades enhance your wellbeing, they may also greatly increase property worth! Get started together with your idea, these days!

  16. ActonPool says:

    There are several of items to consider when booking an entertainer. Much like any self-sufficient business, there’s a new variation from the quality a single entertainer to an alternative. Some usually are wonderful, some usually are good as well as some are possibly less than the standard you’d be expecting. <a href="http://www.favientertainment.net” target=”_blank”>www.favientertainment.net

  17. HassanHamayun says:

    It’s really common practice for many business owners to attempt to do around they could to maintain the needs with the businesses. Very often, this try to rely after themselves pertaining to everything receives an barrier to making a breeding ground for your company to keep up growing, successful, expanding, along with succeeding. To be determined by another personal is recognized by numerous since quitting a number of the control along with responsibility — taking the straightforward road. Even so, a business proprietor needs to be determined by others so that you can free him- and even herself around look closely at matters as an example expanding their particular business, working with challenges, etc. http://www.businessfinancials.org

  18. HassanHamayun says:

    When you’re thinking about buying a whole new vehicle, you could be confused along with frustrated when met with deciding among a manufacturer’s return and 0% money. Despite the fact 0% money seems a lot more desirable compared to the actual past, there isn’t virtually any denying the specific tremendous good thing about using the particular manufacturer’s rebate being a down payment together with a low-interest rate car finance from the area bank and even credit matrimony. http://www.mindanaomicrofinance.org

  19. HassanHamayun says:

    When an efficient replacement is necessary by internet marketers for business finance suppliers previously coming from banks, there are numerous business money choices to take into account. An gradually prudent alternative is good for small companies to find whether you'll find effective professional finance options to improve bank money before they’re in fact required due to the fact industrial borrowers will likely hear many reports regarding the growing problems in getting loans from finance institutions. http://www.hawaiifamilyfinance.org

  20. HassanHamayun says:

    Self-sufficient travelers have a very distaste pertaining to typical, over-priced crammed tours. These individuals avoid company itineraries, instead preferring so that you can plan their particular trips. As opposed to being spoiled throughout their particular travels, independents feel more at ease by by themselves. When the very first is told when to eat, where to see and the length of time to continue to be, it is a lot like putting the particular noose after experience. http://www.dehchotravel.org

  21. HassanHamayun says:

    For most businessmen along with their online marketers, travel can be an important the key business. It really is within touring they have the opportunity to fulfill traders, clients along with promote their particular company. Many business executives opt to meet their particular prospective consumers outside their residence country so that you can impress these. These is the businessmen that want to show apart their touring capacities. Besides businessmen, some common women furthermore often travel a whole lot nowadays. http://www.travelingsenecatrail.org

  22. HassanHamayun says:

    Home financing insurance coverage is a different type of an insurance coverage under which usually an confidence is provided on the person having the insurance insurance coverage that his or her mortgage loan will likely be covered in the eventuality of a unforeseen disability and even death from your person. A insurance coverage mortgage supplies the chance to the lender from your loan to shield the sum he’s lent on the borrower. http://www.lifeinsuranceadvisors.org

  23. HassanHamayun says:

    There’s an ever-increasing technology effect that’s amongst the future. There can be no mistake that folks do need while using the robotics technology curriculum to have us started out. Many from your youngsters which can be on school, college etc is able to use the specific robotic technologies to have on in addition to things inside of life. <a href="http://www.ameiseonline.org” target=”_blank”>www.ameiseonline.org

  24. HassanHamayun says:

    The number of Health Cost benefits Accounts could be constantly improving since these kind of accounts were consented to the general public. Both organisations researching approaches to continue offering health care insurance as an edge to employees the people seeking their particular individual method have focused on Health Cost benefits Accounts. http://www.easyhealthed.org

  25. Thank you for publishing this article https://goo.gl/ZJ0b4N

  26. WTF Club says:

    When an efficient replacement is necessary by internet marketers for business finance suppliers previously coming from banks, there are numerous business money choices to take into account. An gradually prudent alternative is good for small companies to find whether you'll find effective professional finance options to improve bank money before they’re in fact required due to the fact industrial borrowers will likely hear many reports regarding the growing problems in getting loans from finance institutions.
    WTF Club

  27. Very nice and informative article. WWE Raw

  28. when are you writing more about this topic? big boss latest news