The deterrence of police and government authority is declining in the city, as statistics indicate the number of cases of assaults and manhandling of public servants by civilians are increasing every year. At present, there are around 600 pending cases in courts, with mere 0.1 per cent conviction rate and 2 per cent acquittal rate.

Policemen have been on the receiving end specially during night patrolling. Representation Pic

The statistics have set off alarm bells, as similar incidents continue in the city. On Tuesday night, two police officers, Ganesh Chinchkar and Kalpesh Babar, sustained head injuries when three men pelted stones at them near Katraj Chowk. A source in the police department said, “We have a gun, but no authority to use it, even when there are cases of assault or riots in our jurisdiction. If we do end up using our weapon without permission, we have to then go through a lengthy inquiry. What’s more, most times when we try to register a case against attackers, our seniors, under pressure from politicians, tell us not to proceed with the FIR.”