GS4 2024 Q16 15 marks 250 words Law Enforcement Dilemmas

UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Q16 — Law Enforcement Dilemmas

With multipronged strategy of the Central and State Governments specially in the last few years, the naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent... (a) What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation? (b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit? (c) Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Rohit to adopt and why? (d) In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the police in dealing with women protesters? (Answer in 250 words)

Question Decoded — examiner's intent

Directive verbs
What areWhichdo you thinkwhy
Scope keywords
multipronged strategynaxalite problemoptions available with Rohitethical dilemmaswomen protestersextra precautionary measures
Implicit sub-parts
  • Identification of the specific situational context/threat to Rohit's integrity vs. security
  • Evaluation of the trade-offs between short-term tactical success and long-term community trust
  • Adherence to the Vishaka Guidelines or Police Manuals regarding the handling of women in conflict zones
  • The role of emotional intelligence in de-escalating a mob-led protest
Common pitfalls
  • Focusing too much on the history of Naxalism instead of the specific case study involving Rohit
  • Suggesting illegal or 'encounter-style' solutions that violate human rights and ethics
  • Confusing 'options' with 'ethical dilemmas' (they are distinct: one is an action, the other is a mental conflict)
  • Neglecting the specific gender sensitivity required in the final part of the question
  • Being overly idealistic without considering the ground reality of police safety
Dimensions required
Deontological vs Teleological EthicsCode of Conduct for Civil ServantsHuman Rights and Constitutional SafeguardsPublic Order and Security ManagementGender Justice and Sensitivity
Marks allocation hint

Spend approximately 40 words on options (a), 50 words on dilemmas (b), and 80 words justifying the chosen path (c). Dedicate the remaining 80 words to the specific police precautions for women protesters (d), ensuring a balance between law enforcement duties and gender-sensitive protocols.

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