the goan I network
VASCO
Strongly objecting to the traffic sentinel scheme, several angry residents who received traffic violations marched to the Vasco police station, insisting that the government employ more staff in the Police Traffic Cell instead of having the traffic sentinel scheme, which could be misused by the sentinels.
Speaking to The Goan, a source said anger had been brewing against the traffic sentinel, Alfredo Almeida, who had been sighted
clicking a number of photos of motorists.
“Some residents had received as many as 13 challans sent to their homes for the same traffic violation at the same location and they began doubting the intentions of the traffic sentinel volunteer, but could not initially identify him.”
“Adding to their frustration, the violators sometimes had to go all the way to Panaji or Margao to pay the fines and by the time they would return, they would receive more
traffic challans for the same violation.”
“In fact, some residents of Shantinagar had almost zeroed down on Almeida as the possible traffic sentinel and had plans of confronting him, but Almeida shifted his
location to Vasco city,” the source said.
“The location of Almeida, while he clicked the photos, was later identified after many people in Vasco started getting challans only near the Tilak Maidan,” the source added.
A resident, Gajanan Kamat, sought to know if the traffic sentinel volunteer could legally click pictures of unsuspecting women.
“Can someone legally click a photo of an unsuspecting woman? Who will be held responsible if that photo is later misused? We received a letter after 3 months and we cannot recollect the incident now. How can we challenge the photo especially when number plate is not clear,”
were the many questions posed by Kamat.
Another resident said someone had clicked a photo of him from the back and it was not clear who it was and the number plate was not clearly visible, but claimed he was made to
pay a fine twice for the same
violation.
Another woman questioned the helmet rule in the city.
“I have never been stopped by traffic police for not wearing a helmet in the city and so, who is this traffic sentinel to decide on this violation,” asked
the woman.
