Self styled VVIPs to be reined in
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 15:
It is a classic case of law framers and enforcers flouting the rules made by themselves.
Despite the Government order restricting use of sirens and red lights, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Corporation Chairmen, a top bureaucrat and police officials from the rank of DGP to SP and Deputy Commissioners continue to use them on their vehicles as they zip around the busy streets of Imphal and other parts of the State.
In accordance to a decision of the State Cabinet, Commissioner of Transport H Imocha had issued an order on May 25 restricting use of siren and red light on the vehicles to all concerned, but the order has not been followed by anyone, said an official source.
The order made it clear that the siren can be used by none other than the Governor, the Chief Minister, Police vehicles on hot chase, ambulance and fire brigade, the source disclosed, adding that the siren of the VIPs should also not be used on their vehicles but on the pilot vehicles.
The source informed that the type of vehicles which can use red lights along with flashers are that of the Governor, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, High Court Chief Justice, High Court Judges, Fire Brigade, Hill Area Committee chairman, Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board and Chief Whip of the Government.
The latest order issued by the Transport Commissioner not only places restrictions on use of siren by the Cabinet Ministers but also on red lights on their vehicles by the State Ministers, MLAs, Corporation Chairmen, Chief Secretary, police officers from the rank of DGP to SP and Deputy Commissioners.
The order, however, did not spell out on whether siren and red light can be used or not by Governors, Chief Ministers and Ministers of other States or Central officials coming to the State.
However inspite of the order issued by the Government, MLAs, Police officers, DCs and even former MLAs still continue to use red lights on their vehicles showing no sign of implementation of the said order.
Cabinet Ministers are also seen using siren on their vehicles still, the source said.
Earlier, besides the Governor and the Chief Minister, siren and red light were used to be used not only by all the Ministers, MLAs, high ranking police officers and Deputy Commissioners by also by the chairmen of Zilla Parishads and even SDOs.
The sirens were also fixed on all the vehicles of the escort of SP, CO, Additional SP, SDPO, OC and Commandos.




