M.M. Mehta, former police commissioner of Ahmedabad (1992-95), has received the National Citizen's Award for his handling of the Baroda riots in 1991 and the anti-reservation riots in Surat in 1985. Mehta spoke to
Excerpts:
What do you have to say about political interference in police functioning?
What is your reaction to the transfer of officers who acted against the rioters?
Do you think the police need a go-ahead from their political masters before taking action?
It is being said that since the mobs were huge, a handful of policemen could not have controlled them?
What is your overall assessment of the police force?