Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On vigilantism

The editorial “Vigilantes and rough justice” (Sept. 18) rightly says that the lynching of 10 suspected thieves by a mob in Bihar’s Vaishali district is the most gruesome incident of vigilantism in recent times. While it is true that the people are taking the law into their hands because of the government’s failure to crack down on criminals, two wrongs cannot make a right. The growing trend of vigilantism does not auger well for a democratic society. Such heinous acts, if allowed to continue, can push Bihar to anarchy and chaos.

K.S. Thampi,

Chennai

The gory incident of throwing the bodies of the 10 suspected thieves into the Ganga by a civil-cum-police team makes us wonder whether we are living among barbarians. The fact that the Bihar government was unaware of it for 72 hours only reinforces the poor law and order situation in the State. The transfer or suspension of officials for such acts will serve little purpose. Their services should be terminated.

S. Mani,

Chennai

The Bihar police added insult to injury by colluding with the mob that dumped the bodies of the tribals into the Ganga. The spurt in vigilantism should stir the nation’s conscience.

A host of social factors need to be addressed to reduce vigilantism not only in Bihar but also in some other parts of north India where the jungle law prevails.

T. Prabhakara Rao,

Machilipatnam

While it is shocking and regrettable that people are increasingly taking the law into their own hands, it is also a reflection of their lack of faith in the justice system.

Even if the guilty is ultimately punished, the time taken for justice to be done demoralises the victims. What is needed is a mechanism to sensitise the police force which appears to be colluding with mobs in meting out instant justice.

N. Sivaraman,

Bangalore

The vigilante attacks have been criticised equally by the media and all sections of society. But they are also the ones who have always criticised Bihar for the increasing lawlessness in the State.

When the people have lost faith in the police system and decided to punish criminals, they are criticising them too. What are Biharis expected to do?

Shailesh Kumar,

Bangalore

A majority of those involved in petty thefts are victims of poverty. A mob that kills suspected thieves and blinds youngsters for snatching a motorcycle is silent when crores are stolen by politicians. This is not to say that theft should be condoned but the Bihar incidents are shameful.

Why don’t the people do something against those who steal for making more and more money? It is very unfortunate that a person who steals out of poverty and hunger is a greater sinner than one who amasses ill-gotten wealth.

R. Monikumar,

Chennai

That two children were paraded with their heads shaved for stealing salt from a grocery shop is indeed shocking.

The Bihar government should take two immediate steps: improve law and order situation and instil faith in the people that the criminal justice system can deliver by punishing those who indulged in such violent acts.

K.N. Uma,

Salem

It is true that a rise in vigilantism is associated with rising crime rates and a loss of faith in the criminal justice system. The callousness of the police in dumping the bodies into the Ganga is condemnable. The lynching of the suspected thieves is, I am sure, only the tip of the iceberg. The police force should be modernised and made proactive in the State.

J. Dorai Raj,

Chennai

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