Kanchpur disturbances

The incident should provide some serious food for thought for the administration. We believe that behind such eruptions there are some deeper underlying causes. To that extent, the incident represents a kind of sociological malaise. It is also reflective of the dwindling respect for law and order in the society in general.

Mob violence in a volatile situation is not new in this country. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly understand their psyche and deal with it sensibly in order to avert any serious provocation to violence. Regrettably, while the police resorted to highhanded measures like lathi charge including firing, retaliatory measures from the crowd followed with the situation turning incendiary and going out of control in no time. In the midst of it all, no one appeared to be interested in calming the nerves; instead, they fell for fanning the trouble all around. Our police should be trained to understand the mob psyche and display tact in handling it when going wrong, rather than showing a "them versus us" attitude.

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There is a growing sociological phenomenon among the public to take law into their own hands. In the process, they lose sight of not only their core interests but also greater national interest. By destroying factory or public property they actually ruin their future -- when will that dawn on them?

Incidents like these, let's repeat, must not be treated as any ordinary breakdown of law and order, rather these should be seen as the manifestation of a deeper social ailment and addressed accordingly with great ingenuity and far-sight. Surely, palliatives can't do any more.