I'm feeeeelin' it... You??

As I wrote up the riots in B'lore that erupted during the funeral for actor Rajkumar a couple of days ago, I continued to watch the media reports in the days that followed. As the days grew the media started shedding light on some of the scariest images captured during the riots and some shocking statitics in terms of fatalities, injuries, property damage, etc..

Of all that I read, what shocked me the most was how ill-prepared the Karnataka Police Force was during the crisis hours.. KSP not only failed to protect the public, it also lost a whole lot of its own machinery & men..The following is what I've gathered as a status update through the media (primarily from Dinamalar's online editions)

The Losses suffered by Karnataka State Police:

• Seven Police Vans
• Three (3) Cars (not sure of what kind)
• Two (2) Toyota Qualis
• Five (5) Jeeps
• Four (4) Motorcycles

Now comes the most Interesting Statistic:

• # of Policemen injured during the riots: 174
• # 0f Policemen died during the riots: 1

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Apart from these losses for the KSP, the overall picture painted a grim situation that was poorly handled by the City's administrators. As of April 15, 2006, the media compiled the following statistics:

• Total Killed during the riots: 8 (including the lone policeman who got killed in the line of duty)
• Total Injured: 285, including the 174 policemen.
• Property Losses: 6Lorries, 12 buses, 3- Auto rickshaws, 20 - Cars, and 54 Two Wheelers.
• # of Cases Registered: 41.
• # of Arrests reported: 563.
• Lost Revenue for businesses during the period: Undetermined.

It is estimated that the cumulative losses incurred during these riots would be in billions of rupees. B'lore is reportedly the IT hub of India & several Business Process Outsourcing entities reported poor staff attendance owing to the riots. Other businesses (even the essential services) were also reported closed.

In all Dr. Rajkumar (still wondering who and why awarded this honorary Doctoral degree for this man) didn't die alone: he had a lot of company to heaven (or wherever else he went after his death).. Hmm..what else to say except that We, the Indian Community, is collectively failing in establishing some moral values in our growing youngsters.. So, where do we start looking for the solutions to this problem? In our edcuation system? in our public policy? In our politicians??
Your views and comments are welcome and I hope this blog will serve as a platform for a healthy debate on this issue..

For those you who are interested, I've attached a picture of the smiling politicians standing around the Status of Dr. (!!!) Rajkumar as the media started to come up with these grim numbers.. Aren't they a shameless breed to show up in such great numbers for dedicating a statue of a deadman while NOT being around at a press conference to discuss and dissect the issue in Public.. So, isn't it vaugely becoming clear who is at fault here?? The politicians?? Noooooooooo.. Its us, the citizenry that's at fault..