NEW DELHI: Law and order, traffic management and street crimes define a metropolis. They are among the prime indicators of a city’s ratings in terms of liveability. Usually, these would be electoral issues in assembly polls. But with the city’s police force controlled by central govt, law and order and traffic congestion are exercising the people's minds for the Lok Sabha elections.
Voters TOI spoke to talked about the frequent snatchings, robberies and rising instances of extortions in Delhi. Crimes against women were another concern as were incidents involving gangs. People also spoke about the absence of traffic management in many areas of Delhi, particularly in the trans-Yamuna region or on the city outskirts.
Many claimed the ‘visibility’ of the traffic cops, who are a part of Delhi Police, was restricted to NDMC areas and the Lutyens' zone. In south and central Delhi, crime and traffic were major causes of concern for the people.
Kapil Kakkar, president, Jangpura Extension Residents' Welfare Association, expressed his worries about the worsening law and order situation in their localities. Kakkar criticised police for their lack of proactive measures to prevent crimes, stating, “Police only act after a crime has been committed. They take no preventive measures to prevent any criminal incident. They should focus on preventive policing."
Many people from the locality echoed his views. Residents emphasised the need for consistent treatment of all crimes while speaking out against the inadequacies of the current approach.
JR Gupta, 79, a resident of Safdarjung Enclave and president of the Senior Citizens’ Council of Delhi, wasn’t happy about the inadequate safety and security measures in place for senior citizens. He mentioned a recent incident where a doctor in Jangpura was murdered.
The situation on the roads also dismayed people. Subhash Jha, 62, a retired bank employee who lives in Rohini, said the lack of proper road infrastructure, such as zebra crossings and footpaths, posed a significant risk to the vulnerable population, such as children and elders. “The absence of these essential features often leads to accidents involving senior citizens, compromising their safety and well-being," he said.
With the city police reporting to the Centre, law and order in the capital has often been a bone of contention between the elected state govt and central govt. A few months ago, the Delhi CM had remarked, “The central govt doesn’t have a plan to improve the law and order in the capital. If the Centre cannot handle law and order, then give police to us. We will make Delhi safe.”
In the last decade, the issue has proved a major weapon in AAP’s arsenal to attack the lieutenant governor, who represents the Centre. The issue has also been used to justify AAP’s demand for full statehood for Delhi. The police force being under central govt has also led to AAP criticising Delhi Police and the police commissioner. A former Delhi Police chief too was quite vocal against the state govt and publicly spoke against that party’s demand to bring police under Delhi govt.
