Interference saps police performance

A recent meeting of superintendents of police (SPs) at the police headquarters brought to the fore difficulties faced by law enforcers in carrying out their duties due to pressure from lawmakers. Apparently, ministers and members of parliament in many constituencies are at loggerheads with one another which compound their problems. The police often come under pressure to release alleged criminals or to sway the investigation process altogether.

Although the police chief has instructed SPs to carry out their duties as per law, this is easier said than done. And a glaring example of not only influencing police work but also physically interfering in their law enforcing duties is the recent case of a ruling party lawmaker from Natore forcibly releasing a suspect in public from RAB custody on August 12. This is a flagrant violation of law and merely reinforces the difficulties faced by law enforcers in their work.

While we appreciate the IGP's instruction to his force to exercise "zero tolerance", the grim reality is that the force will not be able to discharge its responsibilities in an atmosphere of neutrality when there is so much interference from the top. Merely blaming poor performance of some policemen will hardly improve the situation.

The state of governance will show little sign of improvement until the government gets serious about reigning in some of its overzealous leaders and members of its student wings who treat themselves above the law. Failure to do so will only hamper good governance and  establishment of rule of law.