Traffic islands: Prime targets during protests
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2025: In a significant blow to the State's infrastructure, the Traffic police is grappling with challenges in managing traffic flow in key areas, including Singjamei and Kwakeithel.

The root cause of this problem lies in the wanton vandalization of Traffic islands and booths by protesters during bandhs and demonstrations, resulting in losses for everyone, not just the Traffic police.

The vandalization of Traffic islands, a public property, has severely hindered traffic police personnel in performing their duties, exposing them to harsh weather conditions like rain and scorching heat, with some even resorting to using umbrellas for makeshift shelter.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, a Traffic police personnel on duty at Singjamei said that Traffic islands and booths have become prime targets for vandalism by protesters during agitations.

Saying that the Traffic island at Singjamei was vandalized again recently, he added that they now use umbrellas or raincoats to perform their duties during harsh weather.

He said that the vandalized islands offer no shelter from the rain or scorching heat, but they have to guide the traffic movement nonetheless.

Saying that the Traffic Signal at Singjamei has also not been working for about a month after the wire snapped during a project implementation, he added that they have been manually directing vehicles using hand gestures.

Traffic congestion is increasing day by day, and the Traffic personnel are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of commuters, he said, expressing dissatisfaction over people targeting Traffic islands and booths during protests.

Even as the traffic police are working hard to prevent accidents, many violate traffic rules, putting an extra burden on them, he said and added that some drivers cannot even wait for a few seconds for the green signal and instead rush through, violating Traffic rules and increasing the risk of accidents.

Another Traffic personnel on duty at Kwakeithel said that it is rare to find a day when the Traffic island at Kwakeithel isn't vandalized during protests.

He said that the Traffic Island had been repaired multiple times, but it was vandalized again and again.

Saying that even bricks from the Traffic island were found removed during the recent protest, he said people should understand that destroying public property won't solve any problems.

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