Traffic cops earn thousands every day

Traffic cops earn thousands every day Special Inquiry mere eyewash: Hafta System part of Traffic police Nitesh Sangral 9/25/2012 7:57:28 PM JAMMU, Sept 25: Though the traffic police department claims to have constituted a special inquiry against the inspector deployed at Bikram Chowk, who was alleged to have demanded ‘Hafta’ from the bus drivers, the menace continues on city roads. Sources said that ‘Hafta’ system is part of the department and many police personnel and officer deployed in the city is daily extorting hundreds of rupees from the commercial vehicle owners. There is a proper syndicate and entry system for different routes and after paying the money, traffic police personnel overlook the overloading and violation of the norms set by the government. It is pertinent to mention here that two weeks ago, a bus driver has leveled charges against Inspector Zamroodh Singh, alleging that he is demanding money from bus operators. Later the traffic department has initiated a inquiry, which is still going on. “What will the inquiry do. Hafta system is part of policing and every one is getting his pound of flesh. Inquiry is just a eyewash to buy the time so that the case is buried”, alleged a official. It is pertinent to mention here that on September 15, All Jammu and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) held a protest demonstration to express their resentment against the adamant attitude of the Traffic Department towards the cops indulging in collecting booty from the drivers of buses in the name of entry fees. They have alleged that Traffic DTI and SO who are deputed at Vikram Chowk seized a bus of Jammu R.S Pura route for allegedly refusing to pay entry fee to traffic personnel and then the driver of said bus approached the union office and on his request president Jammu, Kathua and R.S. Pura Bus union met the DTI and requested for release of the said bus. “It is because that cops are taking money, that violations are allowed on the roads. To some extent, traffic police is responsible for the mess which the people are daily witnessing on the roads of city”, said a source. They alleged that traffic personnel, who are deputed on the roads for smooth regulation of traffic, are always seen busy collecting money from drivers. They demanded the department take suitable action against the cops. Taking to TNI Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, Manmohan Singh said that the bus number JK02H-4455 of RS Pura route driver produced the documents but he didn’t have a copy of route permit. The driver, Parbhat Singh, (60), alleged that the policemen demanded Rs 300 from him as entry fee for crossing their jurisdiction,” he said. He further said that mentioned vehicle also seized in three times without route permit and other vehicle document. “I have met with RTO and trying to seize the vehicle permanently.