Imphal, May 02 2009: With a recent order of the police department for mandatory wearing of helmet by motorists (two-wheelers) a near panic-buying situation has been created in the State as traders dealing in the protective head-gear are unable to meet the huge demand.

Apparently owing to laid-back attitude of the people (motorists) to the safety concept/norm and seemingly leniency on the part of the law enforcing agencies for the past many years a large number of two-wheeler owners seldom own helmet.

As such the recent order intent on safe driving had literally created a buying frenzy among the State denizens as they would certainly like to evade arrest or cough up monetary penalty as the police order clearly mentioned of imposing fine against the safety-norm violators, opined one of many helmet buyers seen scouring the shops of the capital city today.

In the order issued by the Senior SP (IW) L Kailun two-wheel owners and pillion riders have been cautioned against violation of the order as they (violators) are liable to be penalised under relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

while the police force have been instructed to conduct special drive to enforce the order reportedly effected after cases of fatal road mishaps, the SSP assured to look into the matter of helmet shortage.

An official source pointed out that out of over 1.5 lakh two-wheelers registered to the Manipur Motor Vehicles Department, inclusive of the Department's branch offices till March 2008, Imphal West district alone is home to more than 79,575 of the motor type.

Contrary to similar safety measures proclaimed by the Government on an earlier occasion, this time around even pillion riders need to wear the protective gear.

Summing up the panic-buying scenario in Thangal Bazar area where helmets are sold along with motor spare parts, one Abung Sharma described himself as being among the lucky few as he managed to grab the gear while other prospective buyers returned empty-handed as the shop ran out of stock.

With the police order for wearing helmet coming into effect tomorrow there is frenzied buying consequently leading to the traders hiking the price, complained Abung who considered himself fortunate inspite of the fact that the helmet he got was not of his preference.

Nevertheless other late comers even purchased rejected ones, he added.

Meanwhile, social activist Amrik Singh Pahwa has reportedly apprised Principal Secretary (Home) and the DGP to extend by atleast a month's time enforcement of the helmet usage order.

In a statement issued today, Amrik Singh also spoke to the IGAR (S) Maj Gen AK Choudhury to arrange for making available the protective gear at CSD canteens besides appealing to the shop-owners/traders not to overcharge the item taking advantage of the situation.

The statement further highlighted that Imphal being a small city almost every item from 'pin to elephant' had to be procured from outside and owing to the improper transport system stocking piling helmets for all the two-wheeler owners is improbable at the juncture.

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