Armed traffic cops fend off attackers

Around two months ago,the Mumbai Traffic Police decided to take an unprecedented step by arming some of its constables with pistols on a trial basis.

Around two months ago,the Mumbai Traffic Police decided to take an unprecedented step by arming some of its constables with pistols on a trial basis. Now,senior traffic officers overseeing the project say the move has been a great success as it has ended frequent assaults on traffic constables.

On June 2,around 50 traffic constables were given .38-bore pistols so that they are prepared to retaliate in any emergency be it tackling irate motorists or fighting terrorists. Senior officers claim that before the constables were given weapons,there used be at least one assault case on a traffic policeman within a week. However,no traffic constable has been assaulted since they were armed.

As traffic constables are constantly on the road,they often have to bear the brunt of errant drivers and are injured in road rage. The constables were regularly manhandled as they didnt have weapons for protection,some even lost their lives. Although these weapons are not meant to threaten motorists,they act as a deterrent, said Brijesh Singh,Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic).

Story continues below this ad

The weapons were also provided in view of the Mumbai Polices post-26/11 capacity-building drive. Being on the road at odd hours,traffic policemen are the first ones to face any crisis. With weapons,they will be better equipped to tackle emergencies,including terror attacks, added Singh.

Singh added that traffic constables had given positive feedback to the move and the Traffic Police have initiated the process of acquiring more weapons for constables,including weapons for women constables recently recruited into the force. The women constables will also be given .38-bore pistols for their safety and to act as a deterrent for errant motorists, said Singh.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram