Dust, rain, heat and lack of promotion; grievances of traffic police

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Jamal Uddin
Published : 11:47, Apr 19, 2019 | Updated : 16:37, Apr 22, 2019

The photo shows a traffic police on duty. PHOTO: CollectedRain, dust, sand and noise pollution are companions of traffic policemen and since they are on the roads day and night, respiratory problems and headache are regular ailments. They also experience reduced hearing ability due to honking.
Traffic policemen say that sometimes they have to be on duty for 15 to 18 hours. In addition, they do not get promotion or any acknowledgement.
When there is a traffic jam they have to face rebuke from the people while no praise comes their way when the roads are free.
A common grievance of sergeants is that promotion is rare. One sergeant says, “I joined in 2001 and a person from the same batch joined as ASI who used to address me as ‘sir’ in the beginning and then as ‘bhai’ when he became a sub-inspector; however he became an inspector and now I have to address him as ‘sir’.”
Without prospect of promotion, one becomes demoralized, he adds.
While checking papers, we often have to face censure, rebuke and many threaten to have us terminated from our jobs, he laments.
If we give a case then people say that since they did not pay bribe, the case was given and if we do not give a case then the common line is that we took bribe and therefore did not give a case.
A traffic policeman says that due to work on the roads, his auditory senses have been affected.
In carrying out our duty we face harassment, threats, intimidation from influential people, high ranking government officials, student leaders and journalists, he deplores.
We have to be on the road for 8 to 10 hours and such strenuous duty has resulted in pain on my spine and back.
Another complaint is that though traffic policemen have to be on the roads for long hours in unhygienic conditions, they are not given enough new uniforms and are forced to wear old ones.
They also feel that number of toilets for traffic policemen needs to be increased.
“Everyone has the tendency to break traffic laws but we try our best to do our work professionally.”

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