As "jungle raj" returns as a catchphrase in Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar finds his USP as strict enforcer of the rule of law under threat, at least in terms of perception.
The Darbhanga engineers' murder was the spark that started the fire, to which Nitish ally Lalu Prasad's public advice about proper deployment of officers added major fuel. The state cops, however, feel the heat is unnecessary.
"There is no lack of intent in the government to control crime," insisted a former director-general of police (DGP). "Crimes such as murder, kidnapping and extortion happen everywhere, even in Delhi and Gurgaon. No one alleges jungle raj there."
Many states considered better ruled than Bihar have higher crime rates, the former DGP said. For instance, he pointed out, "Bihar stands 14th in custodial deaths."
He conceded that Bihar "is again gaining a bad reputation," but insisted that "there are ups and down in the crime scenario."
A serving top cop disagreed that there has been a spurt in crime in Bihar.
"We have solved all the bank loots that had taken place in the past few months," he pointed out. "The looted money has been recovered; the criminals are in jail. Action has been taken in cases of extortion and petrol pump robberies. We have solved the murder of a trader in Muzaffarpur. The Darbhanga killings is just a high-profile case; we are taking swift action."
Many gang-related cases actually turn out otherwise, the serving officer said, citing the stage-managed kidnapping of a Patna engineering college student as example.
The police have a point. On Friday, for instance, gun-toting criminals kidnapped the superintendent of police (SP) of Punjab's Gurdaspur district. In cities like Mumbai, many high-profile cases go unsolved.
"Crime happens everywhere, but there is a difference," said Shiv Murti Rai, a former DGP-rank IPS officer who believes that there has indeed been a spurt in crime in Bihar in the past three months. "In Bihar, extortion and kidnapping for ransom are well entrenched crimes. Nearly all construction companies have to pay up to gangs, or else face kidnapping."
Police officers point out that construction companies tend to negotiate with gangs themselves. "It's only after the negotiation fails and some untoward incident takes place that the extortion demand is brought to our notice," said a senior police officer. The police headquarters had recently instructed SPs to talk to construction companies individually and find out if they are getting extortion demands.
Nitish's party is aware of the slip in the perception battle. Top sources in the JDU said what riles the party most is ally RJD adding its voice to the jungle raj chorus.
A senior JDU leader said: "The BJP is in the Opposition and it is their job to raise issues related to law and order and take political advantage. But the RJD is an ally and a partner in the government. When they start publicly expressing concern over law and order of the state, the public perception that jungle raj has returned gains strength."
Lalu's remark on law and order was "unnecessary and irresponsible" and has resulted in bitterness between the allies, the JDU leader said.
If the government is getting bad press, it is also because of lack of communication. During the Assembly election campaign, Nitish did an excellent job of ripping into the BJP's claims. Now, however, "there is no authentic contradiction by the government that jungle raj hasn't returned," a senior IAS officer said.
The weekly media interaction Nitish held after his janata durbar is yet to be restored, as is the durbar itself.
On Friday, the chief minister did speak out but as far as headline-grabbers go it was a tepid statement. "The people of Bihar have expressed confidence in me and I will live up to their expectations," Nitish told reporters outside his 7 Circular Road residence, where his supporters had come to wish him for the New Year.
Nitish also called Lalu's advice "good".
