For two consecutive days (Aug. 29 and 30), the pictures on the front page have been a slap in the faces of all those who call themselves members of a civilised society. While the photograph of Salim being dragged by a policeman exposed the human rights scene in Bihar, the picture of a mob setting a truck on fire in Agra shows the lawlessness that prevails in some parts of our nation.

Such incidents should make us hang our heads in shame. It is a pity that despite ours being one of the oldest civilisations, we still have not learnt the basic human values.

Harsh Chopra,

Chandigarh

The Bhagalpur incident (Aug. 29) brings into focus the barbaric and ugly face of the police. It brings back memories of the 1989 riots when the bodies of the victims were buried in a field and cauliflowers grown over them. And the Bhagalpur blindings in which the police poured acid in the eyes of undertrials.

Such actions by policemen bring a bad name to the entire force, alienate a section from the mainstream forever, and morally weaken our fight against all kinds of terrorism and extremism. Justice Anand Narain Mullah once observed that policemen are criminals in uniform. Was he wrong?

Ali Akhtar Khan,

Aligarh

It was shocking to see Salim, caught in the process of snatching a chain, being beaten black and blue and dragged on the road.

What was the horrendous crime that deserved such inhuman treatment? Who gave the police the power to indulge in such an act?

Mani Natarajan,

Chennai

The Bhagalpur incident is a metaphor for human cruelty in a country that celebrates its 60th year of Independence. Though the police have the right to use force on people when the situation warrants, they cannot exercise it so casually. It is for the courts, not the police, to hand down punishment to criminals.

The way Salim was dragged until he passed out is a sign of the eclipse of basic human values.

Sengole Thomas G.,

Kovilpatti

The image of a policeman dragging Salim’s half-naked body is enough to bring the entire police force into disrepute. How could such a brutal incident happen in the 21st century? Even the most severe punishment to the police official will not meet the ends of justice.

P.J. Bagilthaya,

Bangalore

The spectacle of a bruised Salim being dragged was horrifying. The policeman to whose motorbike he was tied had no business meting out instant justice. It is totally violative of human rights. A policeman should respect the law of the land. He deserves to be punished for behaving so brutally. I am sure similar incidents must be happening across the country but have not been exposed.

Sudhanshu Shekhar Patra,

New Delhi

It was virtually a free for all with even passers-by assaulting Salim at will. Don’t we have any respect for our own laws?

V. Pasupathi,

Erode

The inhuman act is reflective of the manner in which the police, in general, behave. Today the common man is afraid to lodge a complaint in the police station, fearing harassment, heckling, and demand for hefty bribes.

The Centre should create a police academy in every State and policemen should be recruited only after rigorous training. They should be sensitised into being people-friendly.

Jzacksline Andreela,

Chennai