In fact, Nitish replying to the newsmen queries about the nature of the law and order had alleged that people opposed to him were painting a negative picture. 'Presenting stray crimes clubbed together creates panic among the people.' His measured refrain was, “crime happens everywhere. In fact the government is monitoring the law and order situation on a daily basis. Quick action is being taken after a crime and strong action is being taken by the police against the guilty. The criminals are being caught'.
But he was far from the truth. Not a single day passes when one or two murders along with dacoities and robberies do not take place in any part of the state. The worst has been scenario in the state capital. Notwithstanding his assurances and rhetoric that the guilty persons would be caught at all cost”, no significant progress has been in most of the cases. Even the main accused in the jeweler killing case is still absconding. The most agonizing has been criticism of the prevailing lawless situation angers him; 'These people have no other work'.

Incidentally, just the day after he became the Mahagathbandhan’s CM on November 20, 2015, Nitish Kumar had reviewed the law and order with SPs and DMs. He asked them to maintain rule of law 'without any fear and favour'. He asked them to reach out to the people living in the remotest areas and ensure they do not face any exploitation. He had said DM and SP are supposed to be on the move and visible in their areas to ensure zero tolerance against crime and corruption. Nevertheless Nitish was categorical that no criminal activity would take place if administration turns proactive. He asserted, 'People who receive threats should immediately inform the police. The police will take immediate action'.

After becoming CM in 2005, Nitish had started the system of speedy trials to rein in criminals and check crime. But in recent times it was abandoned. Nitish was firm that everyone should feel the heat of rule of law. He asked the officials to reduce the response time of police in reaching a crime scene. The CM asked police to focus on public safety, not on personal achievements.'

No doubt Nitish has come out with seven ambitious promises; unemployment allowance for youth, credit card for undergraduate students, 35 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, power supply in all villages within two years, drinking water to all households, building of roads and drains up to every house, and toilets in every home. But being a seasoned politician he must have realized for development and growth it is imperative lawlessness is curbed and peace prevails, people can lead a fearless life. Unless this is done no government can aspire to practice good governance.

Incidentally at a time none dares to counsel or suggest him, the chairman of the Bihar PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry wrote a letter to him drawing his attention to a 'visible slide in the basic functions of the state, particularly in the area of law and order'. Emphasizing that compromise on governance will spell disaster for Bihar, chairman wrote: 'Bad news is coming from all the areas of Bihar and it is disturbing to the common people as well as people engaged in the infrastructure, trade and industry sector. There is urgent need to address law and order issues, which is the USP of your governance model as well as the prime responsibility of the state towards its citizens.'

As many as 50,000 criminal cases were registered during the first four years of his tenure. Many notorious criminals were cut to size. He had formed fast track court across the state to expedite criminal cases. His efforts were hailed across the country as 'Bihar Model'. However, the law-and-order machinery has shown signs of fatigue over the years. The job of the police special task force has been reduced to providing security to the politicians. While an average 10,000-12,000 criminals were sentenced between 2008 and 2012 every year, the figure came down to 8,000 during last two years.

His partner Lalu had in fact at one stage snubbed him for deterioration in the law and order situation. Even his close aide Raghubansh Prasad Singh had asked Kumar to check the slide. He said, 'Nitish Kumar, who is sitting on the driver's seat of the government, should initiate stern measures to check further slide.'

The rise in crime has adversely affected the development work. The engineers and babus of the construction companies who are engaged in building roads and infrastructure have started leaving Bihar. They are no more willing to serve here. Even the assurance from the deputy chief minister Tejshavi Yadav to the owners to provide security failed to have desired impact.

In fact the shooting down of two engineers in Darbhanga on December 26 has caused immense damage. The gang of Santosh Jha, a maoist turned criminal, was behind this. He had demanded an extortion of Rs 17 crores. Jha has base in Bihar, Kolkata, Assam, Jharkhand and Nepal. Since the company had informed the police of the threat it should have acted long back. Instead it provided some token security, but that too was withdrawn. Intriguingly the shooting took place just the next day of withdrawal. Obviously the question arises: Why didn't the police act against this organized gang? Who informed the criminals that the security has been lifted?' Just 20 days ago the gang had shot from an AK-47 at a company supervisor working on a rural electrification project in northern Seohar district. The episode terrorized several construction companies in Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Motihari, Betia, Gopalganj and Muzaffarpur. Experts say the Darbhanga incident should not be taken lightly as it points to the emergence of a pattern in crime in Bihar.

In the backdrop of murder of two engineers in Darbhanga, Nitish once again held a review meeting of the senior police officials. Nitish questioned Bihar Police chief PK Thakur and other top officials about the reasons for failure of police to curb crime. Kumar gave the officials a dressing down; “Who has stopped you from acting against the criminals? I have given you a free hand and yet you are doing nothing. I want nothing short of tangible results'. But it failed to move the police. Goons continue to dictate.

What is really a matter of concern is that old-time criminals Durgesh Sharma, Bindu Singh, Ritlal Yadav, Ravi Gope, Manoj Singh and others have resurrected. While the Nitish government and its Bihar police are in the state of inertia at the development, a move is undertaken to find out the reasons for this re-emergence. Though the Patna police has taken the initiative to prepare a fresh list of the criminal gangs operating in the state capital some police officers and bureaucrats nurse the feeling that these criminals would not have dared to raise their heads if at all the Bihar police has been sincere in curbing and controlling their activities. There has been a systematic and defined decline in the functioning of the police. The police personnel instead of devoting their time and energy on crime control have been striving to identify themselves with their politician masters as it pays. In Bihar, instead of chasing crime and criminals, the state police has many other things to do. (IPA Service)