Rising Gangster Menace: A Threat to Law Enforcement and Public Confidence
Samba Times Special
The recent incident in Jammu District where gangster Paramjit Singh alias Jungi opened fire on a police party before being injured and apprehended, highlights a disturbing trend—the growing audacity of criminals in the face of law enforcement. Jungi, who has 11 FIRs registered against him, and his accomplice, Arjun Kumar alias Billu, with five cases to his name, were caught with an unlicensed pistol, a sharp-edged weapon, and a motorcycle. Their defiance of the law, even when directly confronted by the police, signals an alarming erosion of respect for authority.
According to police a gangster booked in 11 FIRs was injured when he was attempting to flee from police naka after opening fire on police men at Kothey Mian Fathe area under the jurisdiction of Miran Sahib police Station. Police has apprehended him along with his accomplice, with unlicensed pistol. A sharp edged weapon and motor bike has been seized from his possession.
Police said, on an information that gangster Paramjit Singh alias Jungi, son of Devi Dass, resident of Draptey, R S Pura along with his accomplice is wandering in Miran Sahib area. A police party immediately rushed to the spot and on suspecting police action Jungi opened fired upon police party and in retaliation, police party also fired and during firing he received a bullet injury on his leg and got injured. Later on, he was shifted to GMC hospital Jammu for treatment.
Police also arrested his accomplice identified as Arjun Kumar alias Billu, son of Sham Lal, resident of Akhnoor at present Salehar Kothey Arnia, Jammu. Police has taken cognizance of the incident and FIR under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Miran Sahib and further investigation started.
Five cases registered against Arjun Kumar alias Billa, son of Sham Lal, resident of Kalayana, Arnia
A Pattern of Lawlessness
This is not an isolated case. The past few years have seen several incidents where gangsters have openly challenged police forces. The firing on police personnel in Amritsar last year, the martyrdom of PSI Deepak Sharma, and now this latest confrontation in Jammu highlight a growing pattern of lawlessness. Gangsters, seemingly unafraid of consequences, have normalized violence against law enforcement. Even stern warnings from top police officials have failed to instill fear among these criminals.
The Impact on Public Confidence
Such incidents do not just pose a direct threat to police personnel but also weaken public confidence in the system. When criminals brazenly fire at officers, it raises serious questions: Are law enforcement agencies equipped to handle these threats? Is there a need for stronger policies to curb gangsterism?
If the police, the very institution responsible for maintaining order, are themselves targeted with such impunity, how can the common citizen feel safe? The perception that criminals act without fear erodes trust in the justice system and makes people hesitant to cooperate with law enforcement.
What Needs to Be Done?
- Strict and Swift Punishment – Lengthy legal processes often allow criminals to operate freely for years. Fast-track courts should handle cases involving violent gangsters, ensuring swift and exemplary punishment.
- Strong Preventive Measures – More proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and surveillance of known offenders can prevent such attacks before they happen.
- Special Anti-Gangster Task Forces – Dedicated units with advanced training and resources should focus solely on dismantling organized crime networks.
- Public Cooperation – People need to feel safe reporting criminal activity. Strengthening witness protection programs can encourage more citizens to come forward.
- Stronger Legislation – Existing laws must be reviewed and, if necessary, strengthened to ensure that those who challenge the law face immediate and severe repercussions.
Restoring Faith in Law Enforcement
The Jammu police’s quick response in arresting Jungi and Billu is commendable, but isolated victories are not enough. A decisive, long-term strategy is needed to curb this growing gangster culture. The police must reclaim their authority, not just by reactive arrests but through proactive crime prevention, strong enforcement, and visible consequences for lawbreakers. Only then can they regain the trust of the people and restore the dignity of law enforcement.
The battle against crime is not just about catching criminals—it’s about ensuring they never dare to challenge the law again.
