The Hindu : Discretion, the better part of valour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Discretion, the better part of valour

THE INVOLVEMENT of citizens in law enforcement and in maintaining peace is not alien to our culture. In the days when dacoits and `armies' of local chieftains roamed the countryside in search of loot and plunder, scattered villages had their own self-defence groups. Able-bodied men volunteered their time by turns to guard their village.

Recently, two brave men, who exhibited presence of mind and helped the police in nabbing the accused in two cases, were felicitated by the Home Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge.

Parvinder Singh, who owns an electronics shop, was going home from Indiranagar, after closing the shop. Near the Indiranagar BDA Complex, three men on a scooter made him stop his car. They threatened him with sharp weapons, snatched his bag containing cash, and fled. But Singh chased them in his car, crashed the vehicle into the scooter, and stopped the robbers. They fell down but managed to escape. Police seized the scooter, and within a few days, were able to nab the criminals.

Azad Ahmed, a City jeweller, overpowered a criminal who brandished a gun at him in his shop, recently. One of the two criminals had entered the shop, while the other kept guard outside. But he too was apprehended by the people who rushed to the place when Ahmed raised an alarm.

Police find their work made easy when people exhibit the right type of bravery. But they do warn the people against unnecessarily risking their lives in such circumstances. You should be sure to hit the bull's eye. In other words, make sure you can overpower the assailants or intruders, or don't attempt it.

When H.T. Sangliana was City Police Commissioner, and a series of murders for gain took place, he went on record offering firearms licences to those living in remote colonies to protect themselves.

There was a lot of criticism about the offer from certain quarters. They probably forgot or were unaware that the law does give the citizen the right of self-defence.

While reasonable restrictions may be necessary for possessing guns and other weapons, a citizen cannot be prevented from lawfully possessing a licensed weapon for his use. The adage, "When guns are outlawed, only the outlaws will have guns,'' is at least partly true. A tough-looking criminal can even use a toy gun to terrorise people who are not familiar with firearms.

On the positive side of citizen involvement are the neighbourhood watch committees where men in the more remote localities assist police in night patrols. Traffic wardens, who help in keeping the roads safer, are another example.

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