How can one’s identity be mistaken during an encounter, if we are to go with the version presented by Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath government? Manish Gupta, a businessman from Kanpur, was shot dead in Gorakhpur’s hotel simply by the cops on mere rumour and suspicion. Can a monetary compensation bring back the life of the deceased? Don’t we know how Apple Executive Ankit Tiwari was killed by top officials of UP Police in Lucknow a few years ago that too for no provocation?
The professionalism of the Uttar Pradesh police has been suffering a blow ever since the force was sentenced, subjugated and compromised to the political interests of those who, for their agenda, made the police succumb to what they would have otherwise relented in the first place. Acting as the spokesperson of their political masters is what the UP police has been equipped with over the last four and a half years of Yogi’s rule.
Hardly will anyone find a mention of probity, sincerity, command and commitment taking a backstage for the better. Apart from this, the State has seriously sabotaged its attempt to put in place reforms that ensure accountability and transparency in seeking justice for the impartial outlook and orientation of the police establishment in the State.
Can they assure the citizens with a collective conscience amending and articulating their roles for the better? After all whose side they are supposed to stand by if not for the one that constitutes the people? With atrocities and anxieties rising at an all-time high, it is time to raise the bar.