Opposition legislator Charles Pyngrope, the Nongthymmai MLA, has added his voice to those calling for an end to so-called VIP culture.
“What is VIP culture for? Instead, the people are the VIPs,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader said, adding that he had raised concerns over the issue in the Assembly in 2018.
Asked if people in power misuse their status as VIPs to travel with big police escorts that push their way through traffic with blaring sirens and flashing beacons, Pyngrope, however, said that there is no misuse because the rules mandate such behaviour.
“It’s all by notification. Say tomorrow I get a personal security officer (PSO). Do I need him? I don’t think so but there is a set of rules that have been laid down, which have been notified, saying that so-and-so will have this level of protection now,” he added. “Giving protection is the prerogative of the police department. They assess the situation and come to a conclusion whether or not a particular person, irrespective of status, needs extra protection of security.
Meanwhile, on the debate about VIP culture, former state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Gregory Shullai called on the government to instruct law enforcers to abide by the rules in letter and spirit.
