Traffic violations

At approximately 5:30pm, on Saturday (March 2), at the Gizri Boulevard and Gizri Avenue intersection, a reddish maroon Suzuki that had jumped the red light was asked by a duty policeman to pull over. The driver deceptively slowed down but then accelerated, as he figured out the visible helplessness of the lone police constable. By this time this conscientious constable was in front of the car, hoping that it would force the driver to stop. The driver however kept moving for about 10 feet with the policeman dangerously clinging to the bonnet. As the car accelerated, the policeman was dislodged and fell down, fortunately without any serious injury. In the process of saving his life, the policeman could not note down the car number. However, a citizen watching this entire event chased the runaway vehicle, noted down its registration number and passed it on to the constable.

This should have been sufficient information for the police to nab the runaway vehicle in a timely manner, however our police has no mechanism in place to protect ordinary policemen or citizens.This small incident is a classic representation of the helplessness, vulnerability and cruelty to which our policemen have been exposed, while performing their duties at the traffic signals. A weak, helpless and scared police force reflects negatively on the police leadership. The IG police must immediately intervene to provide the relevant training, equipment and support needed to enable policemen to perform their basic job effectively.

Naeem Sadiq

Karachi