Call it good, bad or objectionable; Ranchi police have decided to question those wandering on roads after 9:30 PM to come clean with their reasons of being outside in chilly winter nights. Those having legitimate and satisfactory reasons of being outside after those hours might feel good to see the police on duty to protect citizens, but those with unsatisfactory answers or dubious reasons might invite detention, and further interrogation – thanks to a special drive started by the city police from Tuesday night.
Superintendant of Police (City) Kishore Kaushal said on Wednesday that the aim of the drive was very simple -- to curb crime and to keep those safe, who needed to go outside in the night for some urgent work, and those returning to their homes. Around half a dozen persons in different parts of the city including bikers and pedestrians were stopped on Tuesday night, and were allowed to go only after being satisfied about purpose of being out.
“We have started this drive which has been effective in many cities of the country including metro ones only to curb crime, or say not to let crime happen. The policemen on the roads have been asked carry special and extensive drive between 9:30-11:30 in the night. Prima facie, there is no good reason for any person to be outside during chilling winters. And if one has, one will be asked nothing,” said Kaushal.
The SP added that the drive, which was there to stay for at least some weeks on daily basis, was also directed to already identified places of gatherings of drug-addicts, alcoholics and trouble-mongers to passer-bys at late evenings. “There are certain spots in the city about which we have been receiving complaints like these. We are trying to keep them out of the reads and streets,” said Kaushal.
When asked whether the drive caused possible violation of individual freedom, the SP said that it was not at all the case. “At that extent, the police have legal right to detain any person under suspicion for 24 hours. But the drive is not that. We are only trying to keep trouble-mongers out of the roads and streets. At the same time, we also want someone returning from hospital or railway station or after watching a night-show movie to reach their home safely,” said Kaushal.
However, the real challenge of the police in this drive seems not the outsiders, but insiders itself. The challenge comes from drunk and bribe-seeking policemen. “We are taking action against them. Though we have come across just one or two drunken policemen on duty and we have taken strict actions against them, I can assure you that we don’t have bribe-seeking policemen on roads,” said Kaushal.