Police station siege

In the past, we saw businessmen calling strikes and bringing out processions to draw public attention to their plight. They also tried to organise vigilance squads, but nothing seems to have worked, as the criminals, having an inexplicable ability to evade police action, continue to harass them.

Laying siege to a police station is a sure sign of losing patience with the way law is being enforced. The businessmen want to know why the law enforcers cannot dislodge the extortionists, most of whom are known criminals.

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The police have had occasional successes in arresting hardened criminals. But it is not clear why such successes are still exceptions, rather than the rule. We have not seen a sustained, effective campaign against criminality. The good work that police do, like arresting most wanted criminals or acting preemptively to foil their plans does prove that they have the ability to stand up to the challenge.

The kind of crimes afflicting businessmen cannot be tackled until police take affirmative action. There is a suspicion that a section of the law enforcers might be working hand-in-glove with some criminals. This impression must be removed in order to restore public faith in the police, as well as to ensure their effectiveness which is being compromised due to obvious reasons.

Political patronisation of criminals is a malignant growth that has to be controlled by the parties concerned. It is this patronisation that accounts for notorious criminals going scot-free.

The businessmen have made a serious attempt to bring their predicament into public focus. The law enforcers should respond to their SOS call by launching a vigorous drive against the criminals.