The report regarding the attack on a police party by a group of drug peddlers in Jammu’s Satwari area has exposed the vulnerability of the men in Khaki as those running the drug cartels have become fearless against the people and law.
Reportedly, three drug peddlers have been arrested following an attack on a police team during a raid in Raina Colony falling under the jurisdiction of Satwari Police Station. This seems to be the first case of this kind reported from the region telling the sordid state of affairs as drug peddlers have become so defiant that they rammed their vehicle against the cops engaged in the raid. What is intriguing is that two policemen have received injuries.
According to police, after getting a tip-off about the presence of drug peddlers in the aforesaid locality, a police team reached the area and signalled a suspicious vehicle to stop but the suspects tried to flee by ramming their car into the police team. The cops somehow apprehended the trio and recovered a drug consignment and a sharp edged weapon from their possession but the case has highlighted that the drug peddlers have been ruling the roost. They have become so insolent that they don’t even bother to confront the people donning the Khaki, which is something unprecedented and tells much about lawlessness prevailing under the administration of those who never get tired of boasting about their achievements and authority.
It is pertinent to mention that the issue of deteriorating law and order situation in Jammu is hogging the headlines with the recent daylight murder of an alleged gangster in the jewel area of Jammu becoming the turning point for the worsening crime scenario. Just a few days later, an incident of daylight robbery at a jewellery shop in Greater Kailash followed. Subsequently, a few more incidents of firing and gangster attacks in Mandal Phalian and other places were reported within a few weeks. The prevailing situation has no doubt rattled public confidence as there is a general belief that growing lawlessness has been pushing the region further into a state of unrest, which is something that J&K cannot afford because already it has confronted decades long turmoil, with negative consequences known to one and all in the country especially those dwelling in the UT of J&K.
These incidents of crime showing impunity against the law implementing agencies reflect not just a spike in criminal boldness, but a larger breakdown in law enforcement’s ability to deter crime. The failure of the administration which often touts its control and efficiency against transgression is not only ironic but deeply concerning.
