In recent months, police personnel in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have increasingly found themselves at the receiving end of mob violence, raising serious questions about law and order, public perception of policing, and the widening trust deficit between citizens and law enforcement authorities.

Once considered the "island of peace", Madhya Pradesh has now emerged as a hotspot for such violent attacks. From tribal villages to urban protests, police teams have repeatedly been ambushed, injured, and in some cases, even killed while performing their duties.

Rising Violence Against Police in Madhya Pradesh

Case 1: Mauganj mob attack leads to death of officer
In March, in Mauganj district, a police team responding to a local dispute was viciously attacked by tribal villagers using sticks and stones. Sub-Inspector Ramcharan Gautam lost his life, just eight months before retirement. Several others were seriously injured. The state later deployed heavy police reinforcements, and legal action was initiated against the attackers.

Case 2: Guna trident attack during encroachment drive
A shocking incident in May saw a station in-charge attacked with a trishul (trident) by an elderly man during an anti-encroachment operation in Guna. Though his injuries were not life-threatening, the event nearly escalated as tensions soared among encroachers.

Case 3: Stone pelting in Sagar during warrant operation
A police team trying to arrest two individuals with pending warrants in Sagar was met with a hostile crowd of villagers, who began pelting stones. Four police officers were injured and had to be hospitalised. The mob included both men and women, highlighting community-level aggression.

Case 4: Sehore marriage dispute leads to attack on police
In Ichhawar, Sehore, police were called in after a court marriage sparked a family feud. When officers reached the scene, they were attacked. One sub-inspector was injured, and other officers had to flee. FIRs were later registered against five individuals involved in the assault.

Case 5: Indore lawyers assault police on Holi
An unexpected confrontation occurred in Indore when lawyers, angered over a Holi water balloon incident, stormed Tukoganj police station the next day. SHO Jitendra Singh Yadav and ACP Vinod Dixit were assaulted by a mob of lawyers. FIRs were filed, but the incident highlighted a breakdown in institutional trust.

Case 6: Shahdol attack during robbery arrest operation
In Shahdol, Budhar police were attacked by residents while investigating a robbery. Even a woman constable was injured, as angry locals turned violent. Uttar Pradesh Police were also involved in the same case, adding to the tension. Cases were filed against 18 people.

Case 7: Rajasthan Police attacked in Shivpuri by mining mafia
A cross-border crackdown on illegal mining turned dangerous when Rajasthan Police were ambushed in Shivpuri. The attackers pelted stones, forcing the police to open fire in self-defence and escape by jumping into a water body. The incident showcased the boldness of illegal mining cartels.

Case 8: Armed resistance in Damoh
While attempting to recover illegal weapons, Damoh police were fired upon by an accused named Qasim Khan, who had 23 past cases. One officer was shot, while the accused was later injured in police retaliation.

Similar Pattern Emerging in Punjab

In Punjab, the situation is no better, though the nature of the attacks is more protest-driven or linked to narco-terrorism.

Case 1: Farmers injure three SHOs in Mansa
In December 2024, three SHOs in Mansa were injured while trying to manage agitating farmers. Inspector Gurvir Singh was severely hurt, and attempts to stop protesters from breaching barricades failed. The farmers were opposing a gas pipeline project.

Case 2: Eleven officers hurt in Bathinda protests
In November, violent protests over land acquisition for the Jamnagar-Amritsar highway project led to clashes in Bathinda, with 11 police officers and several farmers injured.

Case 3: Grenade attacks on police stations
A more serious threat has emerged from narco-terror networks. Punjab Police stations were targeted by grenade attacks in nearly 20 different locations, though no injuries were reported. The attacks sparked a massive statewide security review.

Why Are Police Becoming Targets?

India Today TV spoke to former DGP NK Tripathi, who offered a deep insight into this worrying trend. Tripathi, who held several senior positions in Madhya Pradesh, said the root of the problem lies in how the police are perceived by the public.

“The perception that police are separate from society must change. They are constantly exposed to danger,” Tripathi said.

He explained that lenient legal action following attacks on police officers has emboldened mobs.

“Whenever there's an attack, it’s often taken lightly. Instead, we must file FIRs, proceed to trial, and apply strict legal consequences. This will send a clear message that attacking police will not be tolerated.”

Major Factors Behind the Attacks

1. No strict legal follow-through: In many cases, attackers are released on bail or face weak prosecution, encouraging repeat violence.

2. Rural and tribal area vulnerability: Officers are often sent to hostile regions with limited backup and weak intelligence, making them soft targets.

3. Understaffed force: India’s police-to-citizen ratio remains below global standards. In states like Madhya Pradesh, officers operate without enough field support.

4. Lack of training for crowd control: Especially in high-stress protest zones like Punjab, officers are ill-equipped to de-escalate situations involving large groups.

5. Rise of organised threats: From mining mafias in Madhya Pradesh to narco-terror cells in Punjab, the police face well-coordinated criminal networks.

What Needs to Change

According to Tripathi and other experts, the solution involves:

• Tighter law enforcement: No leniency for those attacking the police

• Better intelligence before field deployments

• More training in mob control and rural policing

• Higher personnel-to-population ratio

• Public campaigns to restore faith in the police force

Conclusion

The spate of attacks on police personnel in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh is not just a law and order issue, but a reflection of eroding authority, weak legal systems, and dangerous public perception. Until there's a shift in how police are empowered, supported, and protected, they may continue to be vulnerable — turning India’s first line of defence into first-line victims.

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