Taking a ride inside Kangla : Making an ass of the law
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 23, 2012 -

Security vehicles drive past the Uttra Shanglen inside Kangla :: Pix - TSE

If the law is an ass then what does that make of those who wear the hat of law enforcers and law violators at the same time ? Dumber ass ?

Unparliamentary terms, definitely, but then there is also nothing parlia- mentary or legal about the way in which uniformed personnel throw their weight around and expect everyone to give them the right of way during rush hour on the roads of Imphal.

Protocol has nothing to do with blowing the horn incessantly and hurling invectives and waving lathis to tell the people to move out and make way for the uniformed men or women on the road.

Far from it, this is nothing but mistaking the uniform they wear with arrogance. Giving an official stamp on arrogance, is more like it.

The 21st October news story, complete with a picture of security personnel making their way through Kangla in a huge truck was not just another story, but a damning statement on how rules and regulations are flouted at the fancy and whims of some people who like to call themselves Soldiers of the land.

A statement on status symbol, a demonstration that the more one can bend the rules and regulations, the higher the status.

And in the process reducing the status of the common people, the same set of citizens who follow the rules and regulations, to something like insects, which can be swapped with a mop.

Self respect is a trait that keeps an individual alive and remain a human. Rob this from the common people and the formula for creating chaos and anarchy has been scripted. A highly objectionable trend, which seems to have taken deep roots. Wonder if these same set of uniformed personnel will trespass a no traffic zone in a city like Delhi or Mumbai.

Literally, the roads of Imphal have been turned into a turf for these men in uniform to throw their weight around.

Cops on their fancy bikes zooming around breaking the one way norm, huge vehicles of security personnel parked plum in the middle of the busy roads at Thangal Keithel, MG Avenue, Paona Keithel, Khoyathong and one will find an answer for the traffic chaos that are witnessed on a daily basis in Imphal.

Security personnel with their heads popping out of the roof of the vehicle and barking out orders to all the motorists and pedestrians to make way for their bosses, all the while waving their lathis and it should be clear that these dudes have come under the impression that they can violate the law in the name of enforcing the law.

Nothing can be more farcical than this. Where is the authority concerned to ensure that the all traffic regulations inside Kangla are strictly enforced ?

Or is it a case of the colour of the uniform, khaki or olive green, making them develop cold feet and scoot away from the scene with their tails tucked between their legs ?

Something should be done to demonstrate that the law applies to all. Apartheidic traffic rules and regulations should be dinosaurs now. No two ways about it.

There is nothing more comical, frustrating and farcical than to see traffic cops suddenly suspending their work to salute a uniformed man or woman coming in their vehicles, maybe after shopping for the family.