The Jammu and Kashmir police seems to have adopted a new strategy to tackle the issue of wrong parking in Kishtwar, wherein they are allegedly deflating the tyres of violators’ vehicles.
Muntasir Giri, a resident of Kishtwar town, told Greater Kashmir: “I parked my motorbike outside the State Bank for 5 minutes. Upon my return, I found that both the wheels were deflated. A traffic cop, who was standing on the road, told me that a policeman had done it.”
He added, “I was not issued a challan, but they allegedly left the tyres deflated, making my vehicle immovable.”
Another resident, Surinder Sharma, while talking to Greater Kashmir, said, “Police deflating the tyres is in violation of the set norms.”
However, some residents also praised the police for trying to develop a new strategy in tackling the menace of wrong parking. “It was much needed. Some people do not pay heed to rules and regulations. They do not care about causing others inconvenience. Besides, they also do not mind paying a meager amount as fine. Deflating the tyres makes them toil and teaches them a lesson. We are happy that the police are trying to come about with a change,” they said.
A senior police officer, wishing anonymity, told Greater Kashmir: “About 32 vehicles were seized on Tuesday for wrong parking. But, as the towing vehicles are less in number, we also deflated the tyres of some cars.”
On being contacted, assistant regional transport commissioner, Kishtwar, Neeraj Sharma, said, “There is no such provision under the motor vehicle Act, which allows an authority to damage any part of the vehicle even if it is parked on the wrong side. However, there are certain provisions in the Act, such as seizing the vehicle in case of a violation.”
Deputy superintendent of police, traffic, Doda-Kishtwar, Zohaib Hassan, told Greater Kashmir, “The department is trying to get some modern alternatives to ease congestion especially in towns. For wrong parking, clamps and no parking stickers will be pressed in the coming days to surge the traffic exercise against wrongly parked vehicles.”