By the editor
The quiet and serene central Shillong the evening of January 30 was suddenly disrupted by a bomb blast. Fortunately, Kyndailad ( Police Bazaar) where the incident occurred did not suffer any human casualty. Being a cold evening and Sunday, people did not venture out. Within these last six months, now three similar incidents have taken place. On July 14, 2021, at Police Reserve, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills, on August 8, 2021, at Iew Shyllong, Laitumkrah, Shillong, and the third on January 30, 2022. The police were caught napping this time, too. The government, especially Home Department, cannot shirk its responsibility. Police cannot afford to remain complacent; they have to take cognizance of the seriousness of the matter and the deep anguish of the common citizens. For the last two years, they had to face numerous problems due to the coronavirus breakout and continue to do so. Such law and order problems compound their feelings. A good number of officers and the majority of the staff at the lower level hail from the state itself. Obviously, they have to bear the fear and pain that affect the common people.
Poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities create frustration and remorse among the youth. In desperation, some of them choose the wrong path, not excluding extremism. The Bureau of Police Research and Development has been entrusted by the Central government in 2000 to identify deficiencies in the police administration. This cell has also studied the role of the Army and the central police forces utilised by the state government for controlling internal security. Consequently, the scheme for Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF) was introduced for the training of the state police forces and to acquaint them with the latest technological appliances. Law and order problems are not confined to only developing nations like India but also to more developed countries and the United States of America. It is high time to also learn from the experiences of the affluent countries and to implement similar measures, if necessary. Sir Robert Peel, British statesman and Prime Minister, modernised the police force and formed the London Metropolitan Police in 1829 with its headquarters at Scotland Yard. As a sign of love and gratitude, the British Policeman is affectionately addressed as ‘Bobby’ or ‘peeler’ after his name. Subsequently, similar reforms were adopted by the United States and Canada, examples of which were followed by other countries. Meanwhile, the living conditions, the workload and the well-being of the subordinate members of the force, constituting the bulk of the state police force who work beyond their scheduled hours, need special attention.