THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite three of the past state police chiefs issuing directives to avoid ‘controversial vehicle checking’, the thug way of checking vehicles continue. Surprise checking by cops at the curves and straying too far into the tarmac to stop them continue to be normal. “Curves between Mukkola and Kachani are some of the regular checking spots. At Museum also, they stand on a curve that goes around the public office,” motorist Vinod Kumar said. “Turn towards Thiruvallam on Enchakkal junction is another place where they pounce on two wheelers and trucks,” adds Nibil Nair.
Cops DC quizzed said it was impractical to go by rule books on the field. “Unlike olden times, we stand on the side of the road as much as possible. Often leads about chain snatching and vehicle thefts come when we catch them by surprise. It’s safer to do so in corners. No serious offender will stop unless attempts are made,” said an officer attached to a rural subdivision.
Apart from motorists, cops themselves become victims of accidents during aggressive vehicle checking. In September 2016, a sub inspector had been severely injured at Vazhamuttom while attempting to stop a bike. Few months before that, a civil police officer and a rider got wounded in a bid to stop a bike near Varkala police station. An auto driver was killed when Kanjiramkulam SI jumped into a moving auto rickshaw during vehicle checking.
