Rath, currently posted as the Inspector General of Police, Traffic, was quick to hit back at Mattu saying traffic was not his domain.
Top IPS officer Basant Kumar Rath has run into the cross-hairs of the newly elected Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu after he openly questioned his jurisdiction in traffic matters.
Tensions rose after Mattu, who was elected Mayor on November 6 after he was backed by BJP and separatist turned MLA Sajad Gani Lone led People Conference, tweeted about the traffic mess in the city and sought report from the Superintendent of Police, Traffic.
"Have received numerous complaints about traffic mismanagement issues in the city. I have spoken to the SP Traffic (Urban) and sought a review of current traffic diversions and plans. The SMC (Srinagar Municipal Corporation) has been directed to help with decongestion of alternate routes for some relief," Mattu said.
Rath, currently posted as the Inspector General of Police, Traffic, was quick to hit back at Mattu saying traffic was not his domain.
"Not your domain. Traffic diversion at Jehangir Chowk is a compulsion. The vendors have created a mess on Amira Kadal-HSHS-Maharaja Bazar-LD Hospital stretch. SMC needs to clear the mess," he tweeted.
The 2000 batch IPS officer of Jammu and Kashmir Cadre, did not stop here and questioned the limited mandate of the Mayor in Srinagar. "No. I don't. His mandate is limited. Pretty limited. Traffic doesn't come under his domain," he said.
Hailing from Odisha, Rath is often to referred to as Singham for his unique style of policing. From lifting luxury sedans of top police officer's kin to implementing the helmet rule and removing music systems from public transport, Rath has gone the extra length to ensure that people adhere to law.
Having a huge fan following, people often request Rath to pose for a selfie with them at parks and other public places
However, Rath has been caught on the wrong side of the law several times in the past across the state. In July, a 44-second video showed Rath in civil uniform arguing with a youth at Partap Park in Srinagar's nerve-centre Lal Chowk and then slapping him repeatedly.
Later, another version of the same video with 1.50 minute duration surfaced on the social media in which the youth is appreciating his work and asking him questions about the concertina wires near the bunkers on the roads. Rath is seen getting angry after seeing someone make the video.
Few days ago, journalists in Jammu staged a massive protest against Rath for allegedly slapping their colleague. They even sought action against the IPS officer and decided to boycott him.
Earlier in February, he was caught in the cross-hairs of the top police brass for his Singam style policing with former director general of police Dr Shesh Paul Vaid warning him against indiscipline.
On Thursday, Rath lashed out at Team India captain Virat Kohli for what he called his "cricket patriotism". "Dear Virat Kohli, I love Javed Miandad. You please keep your cricket patriotism to yourself and your advertisement contracts," he said.
The Gung-Ho Cop
- Hailing from Odisha, Rath is often to referred to as Singham for his unique style of policing.
- From lifting luxury sedans of top police officer’s kin to implementing the helmet rule and removing music systems from public transport, Rath has gone the extra length to ensure that people adhere to law.
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 "Basant Kumar Rath")
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