Amritsar police to issue challans for driving two-wheelers with covered faces

Women two-wheeler drivers, who cover their faces to avoid scorching heat and pollution, will have to be watchful. Covering face will now invite penal action by the police. After many anti-social elements managed to give the cops a slip by covering their faces, the police have decided against the practice. It becomes difficult to identify accused despite availability of the CCTV footage of incidents involving crime.

Tightening the noose, the traffic police have now decided to challan those driving two-wheelers with covered faces. “Not only men, but women and girls riding two-wheelers with covered faced will be stopped and challaned,” said Amandeep Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Traffic. “Except, people having medical issues, all commuters will be on radar. This is a serious problem. No one will be allowed to cover faces while riding two-wheelers,” she said.

“This practice of driving with covered faces will be banned. I will take up the issue with senior police officials and get the ban order issued in this connection,” she said. Earlier, similar steps were taken by the city police in 2016-17. The police at that time registered FIRs against offenders who violated the ban orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order.

“Unscrupulous elements usually cover their faces while committing crimes in order to avoid their identification. It becomes very difficult for the police to trace them,” the ADCP said, while adding that offenders would face challan in a court or at the Regional Transport Office.

Besides, the traffic police, along with the Municipal Corporation, have launched a campaign against encroachments in the city. The ADCP said ban orders would also be issued against encroaching government land, footpaths and roads.