Many a time we have seen youngsters riding motorcycles and talking over their cell phones simultaneously. However, we seldom see a policeman doing it.
Many a time we have seen youngsters riding motorcycles and talking over their cell phones simultaneously. However, we seldom see a policeman doing it.
They, after all, are the ones who keep a watch on such dangerous activities by youths. But that may not be the case anymore.
Home minister RR Patil’s strict instruction on implementing the deadline on bars has left many beat marshals resorting to similar acts.
Describing the effect of the diktat on the police, a constable working as a beat marshal at a suburban police station said, “Generally, two policemen ride on a motorbike for patrolling. While one drives the bike, the other rides pillion and takes control of the wireless set which continuously beams messages from the police control room.”
“However, staff shortage and the bar deadline has forced one of the marshals on the bike to divert attention to the latter,” he added.
Now, according to him, just one policeman goes on beat marshalling on a bike to crack down on the bar deadlines. “He has to ride the bike and continuously be over the wireless phone. Besides being risky, this also reduces productivity of the beat marshals,” he added.
The cop said that this is a risk for the lone officer who is duty. “Also, just one beat marshal will not be able to handle the situation if he comes across several criminals during night patrolling.”
The displeasure within the police department over the minister’s instruction is increasingly becoming evident.
Several police personnel have written to the minister about the stress they have to undergo to maintain the bar closure deadline.
This, they have mentioned in their letters, also affects the policing of other beats such as crime detection and prevention.
Patil was not available for comment.
The minister in a recent meeting with the top police brass had said that strict action will be taken against police inspectors and other senior officers, including deputy commissioners of police if bars are found open in their areas of jurisdiction beyond the stipulated time.
This has led the police to be stringent towards deadlines. On some occasions, they even drove away the four bar girls who are allowed to work till 1.30am as singers.
“It’s pure harassment of the police force,” said an officer.
Another said that their letters have fallen on deaf ears.
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