City police on Friday embarked on a drive against fancy number plates not adhering to the Motor Vehicles Act norms following a directive from East Singhbhum senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Richard S lakra in view of the rising number of snatching and crime cases in the city.
The crackdown was initiated near the Tata Pigment limited gate on the Jugsalai – Tatanagar Station Road. Over 100 vehicle owners were finedduring the drive. Deputy Superintendent of Police (traffic) of Jamshedpur, Rakesh Mohan Sinha said that the surprise checking drive would be carried out across the city and would continue till the Durga Puja festival.
“The drive was launched in view of the rising incidents of crime and snatching incidents. We are strictly conforming to the guidelines laid out in the Central Motor Vehicles Act for number plates and first time offenders are fined Rs 500 under section 179 of Motor Vehicles Act (1988) for breach of Government order,” said the traffic DSP.
The incident of snatching took place in front of Beldih Club under Bistupur police station area on recently. Incidentally, the snatchers riding a scooty took away vanity bag from a middle-aged woman and disappeared from the scene, leaving the victim and her husband Nagendra Tiwary to remain stunned.
In another incident, criminals decamped with ornaments and motorcycle by committing burglary at the house of Bugun Singh in Golmuri. later during investigation, it was learnt that the burglars had used some intoxicating spray for making the inmates of the house to remain unconscious.
A senior police official said a majority of fancy number plates were being found on two-wheelers of school and college students and cars belonging to activists of political outfits. The surprise drive would take place at areas under the five traffic police stations at Jugsalai, Bistupur, Sakchi, Mango and Sonari.
“The youngsters are going for flashy number plates to draw attention of crowd. Flaunting numbers in different colours, shape and size, the registration plates have virtually turned into canvas of artists. We see youths displaying fancy lettering and arts on the number plates and writing names and catchy phrases in front portion of vehicle instead of number plates which is illegal and would invite penalty,” the traffic DSP added.
The traffic police are also planning to make aware to the people about the rules of number plates. “I know there are youths who are not aware about the rules. They can contact our officials at the traffic police stations any time of the day for getting information on prescribed norms of the Central Motor Vehicles Act 1988 for number plates, the dimension of the letters and other details. The officials have been asked to inform people properly about number plate details,” said the traffic police official.