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Report by the Crime Records Bureau states that a staggering 48,939 cases  were filed against policemen in 2008-2009; MP, UP and Delhi top the list

BRUTAL: A body of the CRPF jawan being taken to a hospital yesterday

Even as 73 CRPF personnel lost their lives in a Maoist ambush in Dantewada, Chhatisgarh yesterday, recently unveiled statistics indicate the rising number of police atrocities may have a part to play in the Maoist backlash against police and paramilitary personnel. In the fiscal year ended April 2009, the National Human Rights Commission received 48,939 complaints against policemen across the country. MP, UP and Delhi received the largest number of complaints, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the total. 

According to a report by National Crime Records Bureau, MP accounted for 35.8 per cent (18,315) of total complaints, followed by UP (6,015) and Delhi (6,031).

The number of police atrocities in Maharashtra are negligible compared to the other states. But that has not prevented repeated naxal attacks on policemen in Gadhchiroli.

While disciplinary action was initiated against 1,185, and 87 personnel were dismissed from service in these key regions, major punishments were awarded to 319 and 919 were let off with minor punishments.

The report also said that 253 cases of human rights violation by police were reported until December 2008. In Delhi, departmental inquiry was constituted against 539 personnel and cases were registered against 93.

Intelligence failure

It has emerged from initial police investigations that the Dantewada attack could have been foiled but for the lack of intelligence inputs. A senior police officer said that the attack points to the lack of coordination between paramilitary forces and the state police. The jawans were killed in an ambush, which was preceded by a mine blast.