Rights groups in Meghalaya have slammed an MLA for misusing his power to take a traffic officer to task for asking him to remove tinted films from the glasses on his vehicle.
On August 7, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Walsall Momin stopped the vehicle of Kimfa Sidney Marbañiang, a Congress legislator representing the Rambrai-Jyrngam Assembly constituency, in Malki area of State capital Shillong for using tinted glasses without proper authority.
VIPs are allowed to use tinted glasses if they possess exemption certification from the State Security Commission. The MLA did not have one but lodged a complaint with the Deputy Speaker of the 60-member State Assembly against Mr. Momin for “embarrassing a public representative”.
Mr. Marbañiang also said every government official should know who the elected members of the Assemby are.
Last week, the Assembly’s Committee of Privileges to be chaired by Nationalist Congress Party legislator Saleng A. Sangma summoned Mr. Momin on September 5.
The traffic officer attributed his summoning to lack of knowledge about the procedures. “The recommendation for using tinted glass even for vehicles used by VIPs enjoying Z+ or Z-category security has to be given by the Security Commission. What can we do when we try to correct people and they feel offended?” Mr. Momin told The Hindu, adding “such things happen”.
Agnes Kharshiing of the Civil Society Women’s Organisation stated that overbearing MLAs were setting a bad example for people. “The Assembly Privileges Committee cannot drag in an officer or any other government officer working within the law,” she noted.
Officials said the MLA in question had 100% tinted glass on his vehicle.
According to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the visual transmission of light through the windscreen and rear window of every vehicle should not be less than 70% and that for the side windows not less than 50%.
“Besides, the Supreme Court has categorically banned the use of tinted glass on vehicles and advised issuance of certificates only for official cars of VIPs and VVIPs depending upon the category of security such persons have been awarded by the competent authority,” said Angela Rangad of rights group Thma U Rangli-Juki.
“Equality before law is paramount and should prevail at all times and for everyone. This culture of privilege and impunity needs to end,” she added.
The Meghalaya police had a few weeks ago sought a written clarification from the government to know how many VIPs have been allowed to use tinted glass on their vehicles.