Existing literature on communal
riots mostly deals with the causes of riots in contemporary structural terms in the
political ,economic and socio-culture perspective ,tracking on occasions their origin to
historical roots .The role of the state's law enforcement agencies in prevention and
control of riots and prosecution of rioters,though generally figures in most inquiry
reports,has not been exclusively deal with in any book so far.
The present book deal with this
aspect of riots which has lately gained prominence in view of the growing realisation that
major riots like those of Delhi(1984) Bhagalpur(1989) and Ayodhya debacle all owe
themselves to failure of governance.During all phases of riots i.e.preventive control and
prosecution,the role of the state law enforcement machinery has been questioned as neither
impartial nor effective.The reason of this recurring failure of the state machinery,as
revealed by studies and inquiries by reputed scholars,NGO's and judicial Commissions has
been traced by distinguished contributors to this volume including senior police officers
retired judges and scholars to the existing organisation of police to its community
composition and its prejudiced perceptions on minorities,but most importantly to the
cynical calculations of the political executive who use the civil administration and the
police for their political survival and consolidation of power.The book suggests
reorganisation of the police under statutory Security Commissions as recommended by the
National Police Commission.Also suggested are the measure for the representation of
minorities and other weaker sections in all wings of law-enforcement,and training of
forces in human rights,specially in the use of firearms in accordance with UN Code of
conduct,emphasising use of non-lethal weapons and techniques of mob control.
The criminal justice system
especially in cases arising out of riots,has also come in for criticism.Suggestions have
been made to reform police procedures,and practices and to set up special investigating
and prosecuting agencies,for speedily bringing to justice all those who are involve in
rioting.The book underlines the need for certainty of punishment of the guilty and
adequate compensation to the innocent victims for which a law needs to be enacted.
Apart from contributed articles
the book includes relevant studies and analyses like those by V N Rai,N C Saxena,Amnesty
International ,Human Rights Watch/Asia.It also presents some seminar reports on
subjects,especially that organised in Bombay by Dr Asghar Ali Engineer.Also included in
this book are summaries of some recent law court judgements and of earlier Reports of
Commission of Inquiry into disturbances at Bhiwandi etc.(1970) Tellicherry
(1971)Jamshedpur (1979) and Amnesty International Report on Meerut Riot.
Iqbal.A.Ansari