The perceived ineffectiveness of police in Odisha arises from a mix of structural problems, operational shortcomings, and a loss of public trust
OdishaPlus Bureau
What ails Odisha’s police system, and how effective is it? This question keeps popping up in people’s minds after numerous incidents of self-immolation, arson, and sexual harassment. Evaluating police effectiveness is tricky and hinges on various factors, such as systemic problems, limited resources, and how the public views them. Multiple reasons are contributing to the perception of police ineffectiveness in Odisha.
Low Ratio
Odisha, similar to much of India, is dealing with a lack of police personnel. The national police-to-population ratio is lower than in many other countries, and Odisha’s police force is stretched thin due to extra responsibilities like VIP protection. This situation decreases the number of officers available for everyday policing, which affects response times and the resolution of cases.
No Modernization
Reports indicate that essential equipment, like CCTV cameras in police stations (for instance, Bharatpur), frequently fails, which obstructs accountability and the gathering of evidence. The lack of tools such as bodycams makes it even harder to ensure transparency and safeguard against wrongful accusations.
Training Deficiency
Police training in Odisha, similar to other parts of India, often focuses on strict, control-oriented methods rather than democratic approaches. This can result in poor handling of incidents, like the reported assault of a couple by police in Bharatpur, where officers did not effectively de-escalate or manage the situation.
High-profile Incidents
A highly publicized incident involved an Army officer and his fiancée, who were reportedly mistreated and sexually harassed at the Bharatpur police station. This event caused significant outrage, especially among military members, and brought to light issues such as police misconduct and a lack of professionalism. The Odisha government initiated an inquiry led by a retired high court judge, but the incident only served to reinforce negative public views of police conduct.
Unresolved Cases
Public opinion highlights a track record of unresolved cases from the previous BJD government (1999–2024), including the murders of Mamita Meher and Soumya Ranjan. There are allegations that powerful individuals were protected, and police investigations were either sluggish or inconclusive, leading to a decline in public trust.
Political Interference
Police stations in Odisha are swayed by political figures, with one post claiming a BJP leader instructed police to free certain individuals, showcasing a disregard for the rule of law. Although these allegations remain unverified, they add to the belief that police independence is compromised.
Cybercrime Handling
Odisha’s Cyber Crime Police Station, which has been in operation since 2006, has tackled issues like fake websites and online scams. However, investigations frequently encounter obstacles, such as websites shutting down or delays in working with international companies like Facebook or Google. These challenges can lead to incomplete investigations and low conviction rates. Complaints made on social media, particularly those aimed at the official accounts of Odisha Police, are said to be overlooked, further eroding trust.
Public Avoidance
People generally steer clear of approaching the police unless it’s necessary, mainly because they feel mistreated or think the police are inefficient. The Bharatpur case caught attention partly because it involved an Army officer, hinting that regular citizens might face even tougher obstacles when trying to get justice.
Encounter Issues
Reports of custodial deaths, encounter killings, and mistreatment in police stations aren’t just a problem in Odisha; they add to a larger story about police ineffectiveness. These events only deepen the distrust that citizens have towards the police.
Odisha Police has rolled out the CCTNS, or Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems. This national initiative aims to digitize and connect police stations for better data management and service delivery. The goal is to enhance transparency and efficiency, but its success hinges on consistent implementation.
In the last government, Odisha Police was part of the state’s 5T (Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time, and Transformation) governance initiative aimed at improving service delivery. Still, it was unclear how effective this initiative was in tackling fundamental policing problems.
The FM College and Balanga cases bring to light genuine issues, and there’s a strong public sentiment regarding police ineffectiveness. During the BJD period, there was a lot of shielding of powerful individuals. Now, similar claims of political meddling are being aimed at the current BJP government, indicating that these systemic problems continue across different administrations.
Odisha Police’s initiatives like the Cyber Crime Police Station and Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems reflect efforts to tackle contemporary challenges, but they face hurdles due to limited resources and a slow pace in adopting new technology.
So, the perceived ineffectiveness of police in Odisha arises from a mix of structural problems (like low staffing and insufficient resources), operational shortcomings (such as mishandled cases and sluggish investigations), and a loss of public trust fueled by high-profile incidents and claims of political interference.
Unless fundamental issues like training and resource distribution are addressed, the trust in police will continue to be eroded.