the goan I network
PANAJI
Although there have been repeated incidents of attacks on traffic sentinels and the scheme is being widely criticised by locals, the Goa police have strongly backed the Traffic Sentinel scheme.
“Some disgruntled people without any reason are opposing the sentinel scheme. Social media is being misused to spread incorrect information about the Scheme. There is no question of rolling back the scheme. It will continue”, said Superintendent of Police, Traffic Dinaraj Govekar at a press conference held at the police headquarters on Friday.
At least three major incidents were reported in Shiroda, Vasco and Mapusa in which traffic sentinels were targeted by angry mobs.
Many messages are also being circulated on social media platforms criticising the scheme. The Opposition Congress party has also questioned the legal validity of the scheme.
Ponda muncipal council has passed a resolution against the scheme but police are claiming that over the last one year, deaths due to accidents have declined and the scheme’s implementation played a major part.
Since the inception of the scheme over 5,834 persons have registered as sentinels. In 2018 around 2 lakh notices were issued to alleged traffic violators of which 79,610 cases were compounded, informed SP Govekar.
Refuting all misinformation circulated against the Traffic Sentinel scheme, Govekar said that any person who tries to threaten traffic sentinels will be dealt harshly as per law.
“The scheme has been appreciated by other states and many are in the process of implementing it”, said Govekar.
He clarified that Sentinels are only reporting the offence and the challans are being issued by the traffic police.
“It is the role of the public to report offences. Suggestions for improving the scheme are always welcome but misinformation about the scheme should not be spread, he added.
He also assured that under no circumstances will the identity of traffic sentinels be revealed by the traffic police.
SP Govekar said that till date no one has challenged the cases booked under traffic sentinel scheme. Photos are sent using a traffic sentinel app and are not saved on the sentinel’s mobile phone so there is no question of the photos being morphed, he clarified.
SP Govekar also rubbished the argument that awareness is required before penalising.
“I don’t know what awareness is required regarding basic traffic violations,” he said, adding that law abiding people should not worry about the Traffic Sentinel.
Govekar also said that as over 70 per cent of the total vehicles are two-wheelers and their violations are easily noticeable, most cases reported under the sentinel scheme are by two-wheeler riders.
The top traffic cop also debunked criticism against the scheme citing road conditions, saying road infrastructure has no connection with accidents.
“We have briefed police station in-charges to act strictly in cases where traffic sentinels are being attacked. We have heard that some local bodies have taken resolutions against the scheme. It is surprising that such resolutions have been passed,” Govekar added.
LOCALS GIVE RED SIGNAL TO SCHEME
At least three major incidents were reported in Shiroda, Vasco and Mapusa in which traffic sentinels were targeted by angry mobs
The Opposition Congress party has also questioned the legal validity of the scheme
Police claims that over the last one year, deaths due to accidents have declined and the scheme’s implementation played a major part
