Motorists in distress as police go on a checking spree

The traffic police have intensified verification of documents of vehicles. So are the complaints against them. In one instance, plainclothesmen chased a couple on a motorcycle, causing an accident. It is alleged that even law-abiding citizens are not spared from harassment by police, while verifying documents, writes K.V.SUBRAMANYA.

THE MOTORISTS have been put to a lot of inconvenience by the ``crude'' manner in which police have been stopping vehicles to verify documents pertaining to them, and check violation of traffic rules and the Motor Vehicles Act. There are complaints that police do not issue acknowledgements stating that the vehicles taken away by them for not having documents are in their possession.

The intensified action by the traffic police followed a decision by the top brass of the City police in this regard.

It is alleged that the policemen involved in the operation have been causing inconvenience and harassing even law-abiding citizens. A few of them have complained to senior police officers about the manner in which the documents are verified and the ``rude'' behaviour of the policemen.

Two lathi-wielding plainclothesmen tried to stop a couple on a motorcycle at around 11 p.m. recently. Fearing that some anti- social elements were trying to stop them, the one riding the vehicle increased the speed. The policemen chased them, and the rider lost balance and fell into a roadside ditch, suffering grievous injuries. Later, the couple came to know that they were pursued by police. Shockingly, the latter imposed a fine of Rs. 600 on the rider, accusing him of reckless driving.

Plainclothesmen stopping vehicles at night have become common in the City. This has been worrying motorists as the former rush to the roads from the footpaths to stop their vehicles. The motorists are often confused and even scared to stop the vehicles as they would not be able identity those trying to stopping them.

There are allegations that some policemen even take the assistance of former constables to stop vehicles at night, particularly in City Market, Avenue Road and Chickpet areas.

If the drivers cannot produce documents such as driving licence, R.C. Book and emission test certificate for verification, they are asked to pay fines. If they are unable to do so, police take away the vehicles. In many instances, police had not given acknowledgements stating that the vehicles are with them to the motorists.

When the drivers request the police to issue them a notice to appear before the jurisdictional court and pay the fine, the latter rarely oblige. Instances such as these, particularly at night, have caused inconvenience to the people.

The Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security), Mr. M.N.Reddi, said that he would instruct the policemen to wear uniforms, while involved in stopping vehicles to verify the documents. Police took away vehicles if drivers failed to produce the documents during inspection as it would be construed that they were stolen. "The law demands that one should carry all the necessary documents, while driving," he said.

Mr. Reddi denied that there were complaints about police not returning such vehicles to the owners. The former should give an acknowledgement that the vehicles so taken away are with them.

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Section  : Southern States
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