The task of every policeman is to ensure safety to the public to the best of their ability. They heat of the day and the cold winter do not deplete their service. They bear such unpleasant weather to make our life pleasant and comfortable. They are the unrecognised treasures of the society.
Sometimes, the goodness of the policemen is taken for granted. Therefore, some policemen are used for personal works of the officers. The burdens of the officers are carried by unpretentious constables. During election, they are used like scarecrows by politicians. To be under the law is to close one’s mouth. They have less words to question or frame a sentence. Yet, they must be treated with respect and honour. A simple constable might have left his family in the far flung village to serve the State. His service to the State is hardly recognised by people. Due to disproportionate work that is entrusted to them. They die early death.
I am sure some of you must have some friends or relatives, brother or sister, or even son/daughter in the police department. We need to be proudof them and encourage the service they render to us. Our constant prayers and support will guide them towards good and faithful life.
Failure of encouragement and constant support both from the family and the department can lead them to wrong side of life. There are many cases where misfortune intrudes the life of the policemen and repentance takes place only on the death bed. It is a tragedy that many policemen die of alcohol and drugs. Before the sting of death comes, they sting themselves with death. Even before they reach half of life’s span, they grow old and weary.
Every day, we read in the local dailies that truck load of alcohol and thousands tablets of prohibited drugs are caught by the policedepartment in Nagaland. The monthly or yearly collection would be unimaginable. Having a good eye on those items spoils the life of the policeman. Yes, it is true that the eye does not know what the heart desires. Sometimes, it so happened that they catch and enjoy themselves from the free supply. I am sure they must be thanking God for such big catch of fish. Yet, it only kills them in few years. Instead of catching the fish, the fish swallows them alive. What a painful death it is! May be some fishcan also be soldin the black market to make their life more secure. Nothing is impossible in Nagaland. Every policeman can become another Napoleon Bonaparte. The word ‘impossible’ is not found in Naga’s dictionary. That is why (a missing page) common sense is absent in many people.
I have come across young policeman almost breathing his last on his death bed. He agreed that many policemen (will) die of alcohol and drugs if they do not take care personally. Other causes are few. He married a pretty girl just to bring down tears upon her check every day. This type of policeman manages the family with the sad tune of cries and agonies. Some homes become theatres where only live tragedy movies are shown and enacted. You must have come across handsome young boys who darkened his skin and flesh with heavy intake of alcohol. Most policemen are of dark complexion either because of hard work or hard drinks. Likewise, they travel in the same boat only to drown themselves at the young age. Death catches many young policemen in the pretext of duty.
My high School teacher who became Officer in Charge (OC) of a police department in a certain place left his goodness in the dustbin to be in constant touch with drinks and drugs. He goes for duty in the highestpossible spirit with his jawans to give better surprise to people by his heavenly spirit. Instead of bringing law and order, he brings disorder. I met him several times. But the meeting on the cold December night in the hospital was never to be forgotten. There was some accident in the town. The patients were brought to the hospital. He came along with his jawans for further investigations. His movements were unstable and slow and his face was dark enough together with the dark hours of evening. The combination seems perfect. He was not fine enough to talk to. He pretended not to know me and I pretended to not know his state of mind. It was a twilight encounter. The young jawans were just made to obey in spite of his senseless behaviour. This is how alcohol and drugs destroy our Naga policemen. Many policemen will be heading for faster funeral ceremony to be performed on their dead body if they do not choose the better side of life. Are you a policeman? Be on your guard.
How many of you have lost your father, brother, son or friend in alcohol and drugs? They are dead and gone but the future path can be made clean by creating awareness among the Nagas. We are never too late to set things right. Let us not allow our young jawans to die early leaving their kids to grow without propershelter. The young wife becomes widow before five to ten years of marriage life.The tears of the hearts are more painful than that of the eyes. We should not make Nagaland a ‘Widow State’, a State without husband.
We all love and appreciate police personalswho are well disciplined and well cultured. Nagas do not lack such personals. Many Naga policemen are living the best exemplary life in the society. Their families are kept in peace and happiness because of their good conduct. They become the source of joy to the family and society. They perform their duty with service and dedication. By this, they enhance the growth of Naga society.
We should all allow true spirit of service andcommitment to soften our coarse mind and heart. This will open our inner eyes to see the horizon within and outside of us.
