Introductory Memo
A Moradabad court’s decision to sentence 16 persons to life imprisonment for the brutal 2011 attack on IPS officer Ashok Kumar Singh has brought closure to a long-pending case. But it also revived a larger and troubling question: are such violent confrontations against police isolated incidents or part of a deeper, recurring pattern? Near-lynching of a constable in Pilibhit to repeated mob assaults in Hardoi, Lucknow, Bareilly, and Unnao in recent months reveal a disturbing trend. In all these incidents, Muslims were the accused. These reflect their escalating hostility towards law enforcement. These incidents, often triggered by rumours, protests or administrative actions, underline the growing challenges faced by police personnel on the ground.