Dear Roland At the outset I apologise if I sounded critical of you. That was not my intention.
Now to amplify my point. 1. JFR never made the statement 'bullet for bullet' though it was attributed to him through myths and legends. Refer to the review of his book "Bullet for Bullet" and his interview with India Today : Quote: He denies ever making the statement "bullet for bullet". He attributes this to Arun Nehru, though he (Ribeiro) "had to live with the phrase". According to him, "Revenge has never been a part of my mental, cultural or psychological make-up." It is, therefore, strange that he still used the phrase in the title. Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/book-review-of-julio-ribeiro-bullet-for-bullet-my-life-as-a-police-officer/1/252945.html http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/book-review-of-julio-ribeiro-bullet-for-bullet-my-life-as-a-police-officer/1/252945.html Unquote: His publishers used the phrase for the title of his book because it made for good marketing strategy. 2. When JFR was Commissioner of Bombay, the underworld was ruled by Haji Mastan, Yusuf Patel, Karim Lala and Varadarajan. JFR came down heavily on crime and Haji Mastan and Yusuf Patel gave up smuggling completely. Haji Mastan turned to politics and Yusuf Patel turned builder. Karim Lala went into hibernation and Varadarajan was externed from the city. Encounter killings started much after JFR left the city. A research from the archives of the newspapers of the day will confirm what I am saying. After JFR went to Delhi, crime raised its head once again, this time with new generation criminals like Dawood Ibrahim, Arun Gawli, Ashwin Naik, Samad Khan etc. That's when the gang wars started and renegade police officers on the payroll of one or the other gangs turned mercenary with 'encounter killings'. 3. If you read my description of JFR, far from being a softie, he was tough and strong. He had strength of character and valour. But he was also guided by ethics, values and principles. I repeat he would never ever do anything which was unlawful. Believe me, JFR has no dual personality - one as a cop and another as an individual. Let me give you an example. I have worked with him closely. There have been occasions where he had to make choices which fell in the grey area. He was absolutely unwavering and steadfast and his decisions were amply clear. He would rather err on the right side of law. He was the last person to bow or bend or succumb to political bosses or pressure. That is why his forces respected him enormously. Not that he treated the rogue elements in his force lightly. They were suspended, dismissed or transferred. In conclusion, let me share a conversation I once had with him. I asked him whether, now that he had retired, is quite old and feeble whether he fears that some khalistani or criminal or politician may take revenge and harm him. This is what he laughed and replied " you will be surprised that criminals and politicians respect and are frightened of honest and brave people. They know where you stand and what you stand for." Also let me share with you an unknown facet of JFR's personality. JFR is a staunch vegetarian and has been one since his early days. He does not even eat fish leave alone other goan delicacies like pork, sausage, beef or chicken. Regards, Marshall *What I am trying to say Marshall is that JR the top cop need not be held to the same standards as JR the kind and gentle man. You say JR would not have done somthing like that completely outside and against the law. I am of the opinion that the good guys have often to do their own balancing act and if what they have to do can save lives and a large city for which they bear responsibility, than they will sometimes albeit reluctantly do it. Police forces all over the world face the same dilemma and deal with it sometimes in rougher ways. - Roland Francis*
