Whether it is Policce, Army or Press

CAR STICKERS ARE ILLEGAL.

Following the Patna serial blasts by terrorists, a general alert has been sounded in Hyderabad. Chances are that using car/bike stickers proclaiming ‘Police’, ‘Press’ or ‘Army’, terrorist can enter the city by hoodwinking the police. In Mumbai, for instance, unless it is an official or patrol vehicle, car owners are prohibited from using such stickers. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma told Hyderabad Hans that indiscreet use of stickers on private vehicles is illegal, though the Motor Vehicles Act is silent on the issue.

Commenting on it, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said, “Only official vehicles are permitted to use ‘Police’ stickers... Cops of CCS and CID can move about in civil dresses. Still, using police stickers on personal vehicles is illegal”

In view of the serial blasts in Patna on Sunday ahead of Narendra Modi’s rally killing at least six people, the Hyderabad Police have stepped up security measures. Hyderabad too has seen terrorist attacks. According to a senior official of the AP police, “A general alert has been issued here and various wings of the city police are conducting antisabotage checks at public places, lodges, cinema halls and malls.” Similarly, the authorities in Mumbai, which has also witnessed terrorist attacks, are taking intensive measures to prevent any untoward happenings.

As a precautionary measure, the Mumbai Police administration has instructed all cops to remove from their personal vehicles stickers which highlight the fact that they work for the police force. The order mentions that terrorists could use similar 'Police' stickers to enter the city since no cop ever stops a vehicle with such stickers. According to an official from the Mumbai police,

“The move should be welcomed as most of the time towing vans never pick up vehicles which have such stickers on them. What if terrorists put explosives in a vehicle and put a ‘Police’ sticker on it? Unless it is an official car or a patrolling vehicle, one cannot put such stickers.” Flaunting decals and stickers has become common in the streets of Hyderabad too. Many people slip through police checks and the stickers are meant to do precisely that. Here among four vehicles, one will have a sticker which says ‘Police’, the next ‘Army’, the third ‘Press’ and only the fourth will be a vehicle without a sticker.

The penetrations of passé decals are deep in the city. Commenting on it, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said, “Only official vehicles are permitted to use ‘Police’ stickers. Vehicles of a few divisions like CCS and CID departments, which look like any other civilian vehicles, have stickers on them, but these vehicles are official police vehicles. Cops of CCS and CID can move about in civil dresses. Still, using police stickers on personal vehicles is illegal.” Another senior police official remarked,

“I understand the state of affair and the use of stickers on personal vehicles. Under the existing MV Act, until there has been obliteration on the number plate, we cannot take action. We can informally sort it out; no firm action can be taken up.” As per the rules under MV Act of AP, “Except for registration marks of the vehicle, any other names, pictures, arts shall not be displayed on number plates.” According to the police official, “The law and order department must not spare any vehicles even if they carry such stickers.” This being the stance of the police, the Army has taken note of the problem.

“Secunderabad is a garrison cantonment area. We have a good crowd of army men and many ex-servicemen. Most of them insist on flaunting their achievements in various ways on their vehicles and have made army stickers very redundant. Army sticker is used so much that higher officials do not always go by it even if the rider happens to be a close relative of serving personnel.

The Andhra Sub Area took note of this issue and later provided them with vehicle pass. One needs substantial records and proofs to obtain a vehicle pass. The vehicle pass, again, only allows the user to pass through certain areas and due to this the misuse of ‘Army’ sticker has come down considerably.

Now, even if the vehicle has an ‘Army’ sticker, they ask for the vehicle pass and even the identity card,” shared ex-Subedar-Major Pradeep PL, MES. According to Vinod Kanumala, founder of the Indian Federation for Road Safety (IFROS), “The Hyderabad Police must implement similar action taken by the Mumbai Police. All the stickers of Press, MLAs and their minions must be removed.” When it comes to Press vehicles, Hyderabad has nearly 22 media houses, with a minimum of 20,000 employees. There is widespread misuse of stickers proclaiming ‘Press’.