Once again law enforcement has been left red-faced, this time with the arrest of two IRBN personnel for vandalising an ATM in an attempted robbery. The incident sounds ridiculous, as just a few days back, a young college student won accolades for returning a bag containing Rupees 10 lakhs left behind by bank officials at an ATM.

Of late, the number of IRBN personnel involved in unlawful activities has led to the growing cynicism among the public. Their callousness while dealing with the general public is definitely a conversation starter. Ask anyone, he or she will have an encounter to narrate. These cannot be stray incidents. They point to bigger issues like lack of discipline and the quality of training. Armed forces function smoothly because of discipline in its rank and file. Training conditions the personnel to think as a team and be pliant to rules and order. So obviously, something is amiss especially in the Indian Reserve Battalion.

An undisciplined armed police is not only undesirable but it is extremely dangerous because they are well trained and well armed to achieve their objective. They achieve the objective either by use of violence, or threat of violence or ability to impose violence.

If one takes away ‘discipline’ from the armed police, then God help us.

In other armed forces, weapons are strictly monitored and after use it is mandatory to deposit it in the armory. If a personnel is on duty and is moving around, he needs to have a buddy as a cover. However, IRBN personnel riding motorbikes slinging their weapon is a common sight. This speaks a lot about the lack of discipline in the Battalion.

To be fair, security personnel lead highly stressful lives. Therefore, it is important for the leadership to ensure discipline and welfare goes hand in hand.

These episodes must be taken with all seriousness and needs thorough introspection by law enforcing authorities. Being lackadaisical about it may do major damage to the image of the police force and apart from uprooting people’s confidence will also affect honest ones  who are discharging their duties with full dedication.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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