Imphal, July 11 2009: Transport, Education & Sericulture Minister L Jayentakumar today said that violation of traffic rules by the public is one of the reasons for the ever increasing casualties in road mishaps in the state.He said, there are people in Manipur who take pleasure in violating traffic rules just to show off their power and vanity.

Even responsible people including bureaucrat officers, police officers and Ministers defy traffic rules out of their desire to show off power.

The Minister was speaking at a one day consultation programme on the topic "Effective Implementation of Motor Vehicles Act and Rules in Manipur" held at the State Guest House here.The consultation programme was organised by Manipur Human Resource Development Association.

Minister Jayentakumar said, law provides every citizen liberty.

However, if everyone starts exercising his/her liberty as he/she wishes, it will create a lot of problems in the society.Once upon a time, everyone in Manipur used to maintain high standard of discipline and used to respect each other.

But today, the high standard of discipline has disappeared from the society and everyone is doing as he/she wishes, the Minister said.

Jayentakumar announced that a Driving College will be established in Manipur under the aegis of Tata Company.

The Minister was the chief guest, District and Sessions Judge, Imphal West Kh Gomti presided and Director, Transport Department, Government of Manipur, Norbert Dishinang, IAS, SP Imphal East district Th Radheshyam and SSP Imphal West district L Kailun, IPS were the guests of honour.

SP Radheshyam said, the problem with the state is that educated people who know the traffic rules well are the ones who violate the traffic rules.

This is one reason why accidents occur frequently and number deaths increases.

He said, everyone is bound to abide by the law.

The policemen and the Ministers ought not to breach the one way with the whirring siren.

Instead of feeling pompous that they have the power, the policemen and the Ministers had better feel that the posts they hold are meant for the welfare of the people of which responsibility they must translate into action.

SP Radheshyam further said that enforcing law must start with us.

It is not possible for the common people to abide by the law when those responsible persons themselves do not, he said.He said, most of the deaths in the accidents are due to head injuries.

When police initiated the mandatory use of helmets with a view to reducing the fatality in accidents, public misunderstood the police.

What the police are doing is for the safety of the public.

By making the two wheeler riders wear helmets, the policemen are not going to get promotion or their salary is not going to be increased, the SP said.

Director, Transport, Norbert Dishinang said, totally 1,66,525 heavy and light vehicles are registered with the Transport Department at present.

It is difficult to control the traffic with such a huge number of vehicles of all kinds in such a small state.

If the public obey the traffic rules, the daily traffic jam and the number of accidents will certainly reduce, the Director said.

Five resolutions were finally arrived at the consultation programme, among which was the recommendation to the authority concerned not to issue driving license to persons below 18 years of age.

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