‘Nakabandis only hold up traffic’

The extensive nakabandis by the police after the July 11 blasts have yielded little.

Though the purpose was to deter potential mischief mongers, the police have not arrested anyone in connection with the blasts during the nakabandis.

“In the first few days after the blasts, we rounded up 100 people. They were let off later,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) RN Tadvi.

Nakabandis have only contributed to the worsening traffic snarls and sometimes cause unwarranted harassment of motorists.

“It is annoying when policemen pull you aside, especially when you are getting late to get to work. Nakabandis only worsen the state of roads in the city,” said Swati Patnaik, a media executive who travels daily from Thane to Andheri.

Another harried commuter said, “Once I was travelling in the night and the cops took me aside. One of them seemed to be drunk. I quickly showed my papers and fled.”

The cops, although sympathetic to the motorists’ plight, feel they are doing their duty. “It is our responsibility to frisk the motorists, particularly after the blasts. We cannot afford to be lax,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Prevention) Sanjay Mohite.