From Sathankulam to Hathras: Experts call for Police reforms

Police, who happen to ensure justice in the society, often is considered as a fallback option for the government to deal with all sorts of emergency situations, even during natural calamities or pandemic situation like the one we are facing today.

But several recent cases Hathras has turned the spotlight on the serious lapses in the police functioning and calls for urgent reforms to address them.  This was observed by experts from different walks of life who said, "The toll of delaying police reforms is piling up in the country".

"The alleged gang rape and death of a Dalit teenager from UP's Hathras and the custodial deaths of father and son in Sathankulam town - all are instances of serious lapses in police functioning calling for immediate and just police reforms," the experts said.

They further maintained that all these cases reflect how poorly the police forces have performed, headed by IPS officers.

This shows the 'apathy' against police functioning and reports also suggest that the nation's police force is ill equipped and often made to work under inhuman conditions.

According to the 'Status of Policing in India' report (2019), only 75.2pc of the sanctioned personnel strength have been filled in the country.

The call for a 'just reform' can be heard throughout the nation and we hope that no more Hathras or Sathankulam incident is repeated.