General News
Attempts to Avoid Dust and Pollution Turned into Crime by Police in Amritsar
November 3, 2017 | By Parmjeet Singh
Amritsar: It may appear strange but the Amritsar police has eventually turned any attempt to evade pollution by the riders of two wheelers into a crime. A after the police reimposed ban on face covering while riding two wheelers, the city police reportedly challaned as many as 21 riders for covering their faces while riding two wheelers.
The police have announced to register criminal cases from Friday (Nov. 3). Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police Amrik Singh said: “Since it was first day, we mostly let people go after warnings but we will definitely register cases for violation of section 144 from Friday”.
DCP Amrik Singh said: “We have imposed the ban to stop crime. Covering face with clothes is the most common modus operandi to commit crimes … we will impose the ban strictly and will also register cases from tomorrow.”
Image used for representational purpose only
Covering face with cloth while riding two wheelers is a common practise to avoid pollution and dust. Many women cover their faces while riding two-wheelers to avoid sun and pollution. Similarly, many Sikh men cover their faces while driving to protect the beard.
Sharuti Sharma, who was stopped at Hall Bazar entrance by the policemen and asked to remove her scarf, as quoted by The Indian Express (IE) said: “It makes no sense. This pollution creates lots of skin and asthma problems. Sun is also not kind in summers. All women take protection from pollution and it should not be looked as a crime.”
Image used for representational purpose only
Sandeep Singh, a turbaned youth, is quoted by IE saying: “If you go logically, this rule will only affect the Sikh youth who wear turban. Otherwise it is a violation of traffic rules to drive a bike without helmets. So it means that the police are profiling Sikh youths as suspects. The police should improve their efficiency in arresting the criminals than making such rules.”
It is notable that helmets too cover the face and thus identity of the rider but no order is passed by the police in this regard.
NGO SWEG (Society for Women Empowerment and Greencause) founder chairperson Navjot Kaur Chabba said: “First, the government should provide people pollution-free roads. Forget about pollution, the local body makes no attempt to spray on mosquitoes that create distraction while driving, especially during the evening.”
“It is true that the Sikh youth will become the target of this ban”, she added.
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Related Topics: Amritsar, Punjab Police, Punjab Politics
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