A welcome HC directive

We welcome the High Court directive to the chief judicial magistrate in Gaibandha, to find out through inquiry whether any policemen were involved in setting fire to Santal houses during an eviction drive. The order was in response to a petition after footage showing, apparently, a policeman joining others in torching a Santal shanty surfaced on social and international media. Santals had alleged throughout that policemen were indeed responsible for setting fire to their houses.

The allegations are quite serious. And one does not expect those responsible for protecting citizens to be involved in such a heinous crime. Yet, after the Santals had made such an allegation, we are forced to ask why did the Police Headquarters not investigate its veracity more proactively, especially given that the allegation, if true, is a blemish on its own reputation?

It is a fact that every agency has some rogue elements within its ranks. Is it not possible then that some police personnel may have been enticed to carry out such acts given that the incident involved huge amounts of land? At the same time, why has the home ministry remained silent over such a serious matter? Is it not the responsibility of the state to deliver justice to the Santals who have been so grievously harmed?

We hope that the judicial inquiry will reveal the truth. We suggest that the Police Headquarters hold its own departmental inquiry also, into the allegations and take appropriate measures based on the findings.