GUWAHATI: After the recent incident where a Guwahati police official assaulted a delivery agent openly on the streets on Guwahati, public trust in the city’s police force has come under intense scrutiny. GPlus conducted a poll across multiple platforms, which revealed that a majority of respondents do not feel safe approaching the police in Guwahati.
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Over 7,000 individuals participated in the poll on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Threads, and the GPlus app. The results painted a grim picture: 84.5% people said that they don't feel safe approaching the police in Guwahati.
89% on Instagram, 91% on Facebook, and 81% on X said they do not feel safe reaching out to the police.
The poll sparked criticism and many recounted personal incidents, highlighting issues ranging from alleged corruption and inefficiency to intimidation by police personnel.
Kenny Ranglong shared, “Whenever I visit for documentation, all I get are excuses. They seem to be completely under the influence of politicians and goons.”
Vick Ram Ghosh remarked, “Many avoid filing FIRs due to police behavior. This reluctance skews crime data, making it seem like crime rates are low.”
Others pointed to cultural and systemic issues within the police force. Rony Andrews commented, “91% of Guwahatians don’t trust the police. Lessons can be taken from Meghalaya Police, who remain professional unless provoked.”
Several accounts also highlighted distressing incidents involving police apathy and misconduct. On Instagram, Srijan Das narrated how police refused to act on a case of suspected domestic violence. “We reported a woman’s nightly screams to the police, but they dismissed us and even threatened to file a complaint against us for wasting their time.”
Another respondent recounted being pressured into a personal arrangement by an officer at Fatasil police station while seeking help for lost documents. She said, ““No, once i went to Fatasil Police station for my lost documents. The OC started getting me fixed with another police of the station, saying: get married to him, will come to your home to speak to your parents. I didnt even knew who this person was.”
Nasir commented, “Unfortunately, I don't feel safe approaching the police in Guwahati. My experience, as well as that of many others, has been marred by the horrible behavior of some police personnel. Instead of providing assistance and protection, they often come across as uncooperative and even hostile. Furthermore, the pervasive culture of corruption within the police force is a major deterrent, with many officers expecting bribes in exchange for their services. This not only erodes trust in the police but also creates a sense of insecurity among citizens, making them hesitant to approach the authorities even in times of need.”
The survey has shed light on a pressing need for reforms within Guwahati’s police force to rebuild public trust.
A video of a Guwahati police personnel assaulting a delivery agent on the streets of Fancy Bazar went viral on November 15. After which, DGP, Assam, GP Singh informed via a tweet that the Officer-in-charge of Panbazar Police Station, Bhargav Borbora has been placed under suspension.
"The Behaviour of Insp Bhargav Borbora OC Panbazar is unacceptable. He is being placed under suspension with immediate effect and a Departmental Enquiry has been ordered. CP Guwahati has been advised to post another officer immediately," the tweet by GP Singh read.
Talking to GPlus, Guwahati Police Commissioner, Diganta Barah said, "The officer has been immediately closed to Ordinary Reserve pending formal enquiry."
Ever since then, a Guwahati resident along with the delivery agent, who turned out to be a student of Cotton University, registered separate complaints against the official at the Panbazar Police Station.
