Mob justice

Okara, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore – the headlines from the heart of Punjab are the same. Amidst media reporting that child abduction is spiralling out of control in Punjab, citizens are taking matters into their own hands and mob rule seems to have become the way to deal with alleged child kidnappers as well as the police. On the media, stories of kidnappings of children have become ‘breaking news’ as the media feeds the public’s genuine concern regarding the safety of their children. On the other hand, every other day, there are reports of a mob deciding what to do with alleged child kidnappers. One such mob in Faisalabad crossed another line by deciding that they would rather beat up the police for failing to recover a missing child. On Monday, another mob attacked a mother in Lahore who was walking on the street with her 10-year-old son. The mob found obvious justification in the hysteria that has been created around the genuine issue of child kidnappings in Punjab. At least 26 such mob incidents have been reported as yet. Comments by the IG Punjab Police, who denied that kidnappings in the province were a serious issue, also fuelled the raging fire.

Despite the recent efforts of the Punjab police to use a media campaign to build its image, the police would get more credit if they are able to make the lives of citizens safe. With over 1,000 children kidnapped each year, the police’s own statistics make for grim reading. There is no question that the police must do better. It is the police’s failure which has given rise to what could become complete mob rule. However, mob rule is not something to celebrate. It is a product of sensationalist reporting. Unfortunately, most media reports have shied away from detailed reporting on particular incidents, instead celebrating mob justice in front of an ineffective police system. We agree that the police need to shape up. But we also need to exercise caution before celebrating the failure of state institutions in favour of mob rule. Justice cannot be served by a mob. A mother being beaten is a line that cannot – must not – be crossed. The responsibility for changing this lies in the hands of the Punjab police and the media.