'K.S. Subramanian provides a comprehensive, well-balanced analysis of the history, organisation and contemporary functioning of the central police forces (including the Intelligence Bureau). This is an up-to-date, insider perspective from a person with broad administrative experience, who is also sensitive to human rights issues' - Paul R Brass, Professor (Emeritus), University of Washington

'Dr Subramanian, with the unusual blend of academic scholarship, and long and rich working experience, has dealt with several issues with rare candour, sensitivity, understanding and appreciation' -- Madhav Godbole, Former Home Secretary, Government of India

'Political Violence and the Police in India is a welcome addition to our understanding of the problems faced by the police in India' -- Julio Ribeiro, Former Director-General of Police, Punjab

Increasing political violence in India is challenging the government's ability to resolve conflicts democratically. In this topical book, K. S. Subramanian:

· identifies patterns and trends in political violence in India;

· examines how the government's political machinery has responded;

· explains why State response has been inadequate;

· and recommends changes in structures and attitudes.

The author sketches the growing crisis of governance by assessing the Central and state governments' police organisations, especially key central agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau, the Central Paramilitary Forces and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. In case studies of regions and communities affected by political violence, he takes the reader behind the scenes - whether it is on police partisanship in the communal pogrom in Gujarat, the official approach to the Naxalite problem, the violence against dalits and adivasis, or the violation of human rights in northeast India.

With police reform being a major public concern, police research is gaining importance as a field of study. This book will appeal to students of criminal justice, political science, sociology, public policy and public administration, as well as policy makers, police and administrative officers, and human rights activists.