Few police officials in Rajouri-Poonch range harassing travelers and truck walas for money on the name of COVID protocol violation
SALIL RAINA
(POONCH TODAY NEWS)
POONCH/RAJOURI: On one hand, police officials have been doing a gigantic task of ensuring proper lockdown in twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in addition of feeding some poor people diligently by providing them various eatables, but on the other hand, few delinquent police officials have taken this opportunity to harass travelers and imposing COVID related fine of Rs 200 and even higher fine in some cases, especially from truck walas at different locations in Rajouri-Poonch range.
They are charging fine by handing over a slip of Red cross and there is no mention of date on majority of slips. Even poor persons who are running from pillar to post for earning their livelihood are being charged with a fine of Rs 200 on the name of COVID protocol violation. It’s a well known fact that donation to red cross is a voluntary one and no body can impose his/her will on anybody to pay a desired amount and this shows that few police officials are not aware of Red cross rules. Will top police officials in Rajouri-Poonch provide details of amount collected by police on the name of Red cross? Although, Indian Red cross society has not authorized anybody to collect any donation in cash or kind on its behalf, then on what basis police officials have started this drive of collection money on the name of fine over COVID protocol violation by handing a slip of red cross. It’s a big question mark on top brass of police in twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri. A scooty wala, while traveling on Rajouri-Poonch route was signaled by police officials to stop and he was demanded Rs 200. When the person objected, the police official said, “Just pay Rs 200 and go.” Similarly, many trucks walas were directed to stop at different locations and were directed to pay Rs 200 and even more in some cases. A truck driver, said, “What can we do. If we don’t pay. They will stop us from moving ahead.” Before starting using Red cross slips, police officials earlier collected money directly by placing record of collected amount on a diary. Who authorized police to collect money on behalf of Red cross and what amount of money has been collected by police? All these queries need to be addressed by the police to give a positive impression because people have started leveling charges of treachery against few police officials in Rajouri-Poonch range.