Southern Africa-Legitimisation Games

Police FOR over a month now, the police, mainly though not entirely comprising the lower ranks of the force, have been astir in almost all the states and union territories. A not-so-strange paradox characterises the world of Indian policemen. Themselves among the lowest paid of government employees, the majority of the nine lakh policemen in India can be described as forming part of the toiling section of the Indian masses. Nevertheless, it is the policeman, particularly, the lowly constable, who is the most visible symbol of State power all over the country. Miserably abused, poorly paid, subjected to humiliating living and working conditions, being forced to be a virtual bonded labourer to his superiors under the infamous 'orderly' system, the average police constable is also the most effective instrument of suppression of mass movements, strikes, popular struggles, etc. The police, or sections of them, might now be protesting against 'political interference'; but the policemen are themselves willing tools of 'political' manipulation, allowing themselves to be suborned to serve the interests of the rulers, manufacturing false cases against those who challenge the present economic and social dispensation or even helping in their physical elimination.