Residents question traffic police functioning at seminar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 10

The seminar on traffic violations and road safety, organised by the Voice of Amritsar (an NGO) as part of its seven-day awareness programme, provided a platform to city residents to voice their concerns in the presence of senior police officials and Lok Sabha member Gurjit Singh Aujla.

Residents questioned political intervention in the working of the traffic police as cops can often be seen letting go the violators after receiving phone calls from local politicians. “Police officials must record such requests from politicians and bring it to the notice of senior officers,” said Gurjit Aujla. He stressed that the law was same for everyone and he was against any kind of political intervention in the police functioning.

Residents posed some tough questions on the working style of cops deployed at city chowks and asked DCP Amreek Singh Powar to ensure that the traffic police wing does its duty diligently.

Talking about the issues raised by the public, the DCP said, “With a strength of just 200 constables, the traffic police cannot be expected to remain present at every nook and corner of the city. Residents, especially parents, should sensitise their children to the hazards of underage driving or driving without helmets,” he said. Powar also shared various practical problems faced by the cops in traffic management.

The Voice of Amritsar had started a social media page in 2011. “The response on the page and the issues the members raised led to registration of the NGO in 2012,” said its founder Dr Rakesh Kumar, adding that the group is non-political and committed to the betterment of holy city.

Senior members of the NGO, Indu Arora, Neeta Mehra and its current president Seenu Arora, said they could also associate with the administration to find practical solutions.