Keep calm and carry on, cops told after slap video

Nagpur: After video of a traffic constable slapping a security guard over lifting of a two-wheeler went viral in social media, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Sarang Awad on Tuesday asked his men from 10 zones not to lose temper while taking action against wrongly parked vehicles.
On Monday, a constable from Sakkardara traffic zone was caught on camera arguing with a private security guard, who was trying to stop him from lifting a wrongly parked two-wheeler. The video further showed the cop slapping the guard after he tried to push him.
After coming across the video, Awad addressed his men saying, Dokyawar Barf ani tondat sakhar thevun kaam kara (work with ice on the head and sugar in mouth). “Don’t fall prey to any instigation by violators,” he urged the cops in white shirt and khaki pants and also the staff of a private firm engaged to lift wrongly-parked vehicles.
“First announce and then lift the vehicles,” he said, adding don’t take action without announcing in the public address system.
He also asked traffic cops deployed on towing vans to always wear body worn cameras. “Without cameras, don’t do the job of lifting vehicles,” the DCP said.
He also expressed anguish over reports about malpractices being adopted while lifting the vehicles. “Nobody will be spared if caught red-handed,” Awad warned.
The DCP has also asked traffic cops to initiate action against wrongly parked vehicles especially during peak hours. “Start action on Sundays too,” he said, adding focus of the towing vans should be on congested roads.
“Later, the security guard tendered apology for obstructing a traffic policeman from discharging his duty,” Sakkardara zone PI Jayesh Bhandarkar told TOI.
Meanwhile, traffic police have extended the drive of lifting wrongly-parked vehicles to three more zones — Sakkardara, Lakadganj and Cotton Market. Until recently, the drive was being carried out in three zones —Sitabuldi, Sadar and Sonegaon zones — on pilot basis.