While former cops have welcomed the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, former encounter specialists of Mumbai police have said that considering the recent rise in underworld activities, policemen would not be taking any "chances" to train guns on criminals due to the stringent guidelines.
The guidelines speak about registering an immediate FIR, probe by an independent agency and no promotion till the policeman is given a clean chit.
Former Maharashtra director general of police, D Sivanadan said, "I welcome the guidelines that has been set up by the Supreme Court, but even during my tenure as joint commissioner of police (crime) we had followed all the guidelines laid down by the SC at that point of time. By setting guidelines, the court has ensured that no policemen should do anything illegal."
Asked whether stalling promotions of a policeman involved in encounter will effect the morale of the force, Sivanandan said, "I don't think so, as all these encounters can be probed quickly and if the encounter is found genuine then the officer can be given the promotion. All policemen should follow the law, and there is no real need for an encounter as we can arrest them and book them for their crimes".
An encounter specialist from the Mumbai police also welcomed the move. " I have not read the order yet, but from what I have heard, I think it's a good order. But, if you look at the Maharashtra police, encounter specialists have always followed the rule and they have always submitted the paperwork and informed their superiors about the encounter," he said, on condition of anonymity.
He further added " In Maharashtra police, no officer has yet got a promotion on the basis of number of encounters he has done. At the most, they receive a reward and if the promotion is on seniority basis, then it should not be postponed."
However, another former encounter specialist Ravindra Angre had a different view. Angre said, "I think that the order will definitely affect the force, as the policemen will be wary henceforth to curb the menace of underworld. When we are fired upon, what is a policemen supposed to do, they also have to retaliate."
Angre further added, "Earlier, the underworld was kept in check by encounter specialists and the criminals would fear the policemen. Now, in last five years, there has been increased activity among the anti-social elements. The police are left with no options to take on the gangsters."
When Mumbai police was contacted, additional commissioner of police (crime) K M M Prasanna said, "It's an excellent order and we welcome it. Mumbai police have always followed the law. Even now, an immediate FIR is registered in such case and the investigation is done by a different police station".
Number of encounters committed:
Year
2001- 94
2002- 47
2003- 40
2004- 15
2005- 13
2006- 16
2007- 12
2008- 20
2009- 8
2010-7
2011- none
2012-none
2013 – None
2014 – None so far
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