Street crime running high

Need to instil fear of law in the public mind, says former top cop

LUCKNOW: A gang of rowdy youths in an SUV flaunting a party flag, enjoyed food at a popular eating joint in Hazratganj about five days ago. The group passed abusive remarks on other people present at the joint and threatened the staff with dire consequences when asked to settle the bill.

The group leader dropped his name and said, “Do not ask for payment again.” The group then sped away in the SUV.

An alarmed joint owner Praphulla Pandey filed a written complaint with the Hazratganj police on July 8. Pandey said, “I informed the police, apprehending the group could visit the joint again and cause a nuisance”.

The incident is ample illustration of rowdyism on streets, lack of fear of law and insecurity among the common people in the state capital.

“The incident confirms the common perception that street crime has increased,” said a retired IPS officer, requesting anonymity. He said the brutal rape and murder of a four-yearold kidnapped from the pavement near Mithaiwala crossing in Gomti Nagar was also a fallout of lack of fear of law.

The former DGP said murders and loot could not be stopped all of a sudden. But the fear of law should always be there in the public mind.

He said, “The increase in crime on the street, eve teasing, rowdyism and hooliganism at eatery shops, boozing in public places, subsequently leads to major crimes like murder, rape, loot, robbery and kidnapping”. He said the morale of criminals was high and the cops were the backfoot nowadays. Sharing his 35 years of policing experience, he added, “The police should focus on curbing street crime and providing a sense of security to the common man.”