Status of Policing in India Report, 2020-21 Vol. I
The Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2020-21 (Volume I): Policing in Conflict-Affected Regions, gathers and evaluates original data on policing under extraordinary circumstances. It has been divided into two parts: First, a study of policing in conflict-affected areas and second, a study of policing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The studies present policy-oriented insights into the everyday working of the police in India. It is brought to you by Common Cause and the Lokniti Programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and is backed by our philanthropic partners, Tata Trusts and the Lal Family Foundation.
The first part of the SPIR 2020- 21 is focused on districts and states affected by some form of conflict, extremism, or insurgency while the second part looks at the preparedness of the cops against disasters in general and health emergencies in particular. Both the studies combine perceptions and performance about policing, in essence, a continuation of the SPIR 2018 and 2019. The earlier reports were focused on citizens’ trust and satisfaction with the police and their adequacy, attitudes and working conditions.
The present study also surveys both the police personnel and common citizens using separate teams and questionnaires in different geographies. It is well-known that everything about policing at the conflict areas—from jurisdictions to the line of command—is affected by the presence of the Army or the para-military forces under stringent legal provisions. It is equally true that the presence of armed underground outfits changes the nature of politics and society in conflict areas. This report aims to understand how policing is carried out in disturbed areas and if there are any lessons in it for policymakers. The study also looks at how conflict situations affect normal crime, its investigation and resolution. It unravels the attitudes of police personnel, their working conditions, training and preparedness as also their relationships with various stakeholders of the conflict.
For this study, a total of 6,881 individuals (2276 police personnel and 4605 civilians), across 27 districts in 11 states and Union Territories were surveyed. The conflict-affected districts were selected from amongst the list of disturbed areas provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs and where incidents of violence have been reported consistently in the presence of the Army or the paramilitary forces. The report also analyses official data released by government agencies.
Key takeaways (English):
SPIR 2020-21 Vol I (Key takeaways) English
Key takeaways (Hindi):
SPIR 2020-21 Vol I (Key takeaways) Hindi
