Though welcoming an order issued by the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police warning against the illegal use of sirens and tinted glasses on vehicles, Shillongites have doubts if the order will be applicable to all or would have any real effect on the ground.
The use of tinted films and sirens has been banned in the country since 2012 by the Supreme Court. Yet their use is widespread despite the many restrictions imposed, on paper at least, by the authorities.
While VIPs and other dignitaries still get the privilege of these black films on security grounds, citizens say there is there is arbitrariness and impartiality as the ban should be enforced on everyone, “including families of VIPs”.
Citizens also observed that in a city that is already choking with traffic jams and a police system that is already overburdened by a lot of responsibilities, such an order just becomes a “habit.”
“In the past, this type of order existed but as history has a habit of repeating itself it most likely will not last. Our state being a small state with prevalent nepotism and corruption, the rule maybe implemented verbally and in spirit but the public will most likely not follow the rule,” Therisia Pohlong said.
Even Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had espoused the VIP culture and vouched for use of tinted glasses, saying, “Using dark glasses is safe as people often travel at night.”
Social activist Angela Rangad who had lodged FIRs in 2020 and 2022 detailing vehicle numbers in violation of SC order said, “Everyday we see vehicles using sirens to beat the Shillong traffic even as children are struggling to get to school and office goers to office and the ordinary person is trying to get about their livelihoods.”
Still, heavily-tinted windows and windscreens have a free run on the roads of Shillong though police had warned of penalising the violators. As a resident, Puran Nengnong noted, “It’s high time the concerned authorities act against the illegal tinting of glasses. Wishing him (SP) all the best.”
“There is nothing you can do… it’s just a phone call away,” Wanlamlang Syiemlieh commented on the order uploaded by Highland Post on social media.
Shillongites feel that such orders will be just on paper. “It’s only for the sake of obedience but save for it, many don’t want to adhere,” Dominic S Wankhar observed.
Such observations made by citizens prove that they are conscious of the extent the order will travel to. In 2019, a police officer had to apologise before the Privileges Committee of the state Assembly for ordering the then Rambrai Jyrngam MLA, Kimfa Marbaniang, to remove tinted glass from his vehicle after the latter complained against the “behaviour” of the concerned officer.
“I welcome the order but they need to ensure that the order is followed not just for few days or weeks. Any law should be equal for all. Why only common man? If the police are coming out with such regulations, they should implement the order even for many categories of VIPs which are not authorised to use tinted glass,” Aafaque Hussain, a resident of Shillong.
While the apex court had also ordered the government to curtail the use of beacons except by constitutional heads and also completely ban the use of sirens, violations continue.
In May this year, police seized a Bolero with a siren and VIP blinker and other items from a man who had been posing as an IB officer of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as well as officer of the Police Special Branch for duping people on the pretext of giving them jobs.
