‘People now want instant justice’: Former Assam DGP on rising encounter demands

GUWAHATI, Nov 6: It’s disturbing that the mindset of a section of people in Assam is fast changing. Earlier, whenever a heinous crime like murder or rape took place, people demanded “justice”. But in recent times, whenever a heinous crime takes place, a section of people has started demanding an “encounter” of the accused.

Commenting on the phenomenon, former Director General of Assam Police, GM Srivastava, said that people now want instant justice.

He admitted that the normal process of investigation takes a long time and the police have to file the chargesheet within 90 days.

The judicial process also takes time, and after the trial in the lower court, the accused can go to the High Court and Supreme Court. If the death penalty is awarded, the accused can even file a mercy petition before the President of India.

Srivastava said that the value system in society has changed, and that is why people are no longer ready to wait for a long time to see justice. That is why there is a growing demand for instant killing of the accused whenever a heinous crime takes place.

When contacted by The Assam Tribune to discuss the issue, Dr Suresh Chakravarty, head of the Psychiatry Department of the Gauhati Medical College, said that the value system has changed and most people do not have the patience. Giving an example, he said, “During our student life, we had to read a number of books to write an essay.

“But anyone can write a number of essays in a day using Apps like ChatGPT. In the same way, people want everything instantly, including justice.”

Dr Chakravarty said that the delay in the judicial process is another reason for people demanding instant justice. There have been instances where criminals, who have enough money, even escaped abroad. But demanding instant justice is a dangerous trend. All four pillars of democracy have to work together to change the mindset of the people and to strengthen the democratic systems, he added.