MEDIA-TRAFFIC MEETING
Jammu, March 13, (Scoop News)- Working Journalists Association of Jammu has strongly condemned the notice issued by the SP Traffic targeting media persons for alleged violation of Traffic rules.
The notice issued to media persons has been seen as grave provocation by the SP traffic and has invited criticism from working journalists of all media houses(Print and Electronic).
The working journalists gathered here in the Press Club of Jammu on Thursday took serious note of the conduct of the police officer as he has been repeatedly targeting media persons ever since he joined office of SP Traffic.
DIG Traffic Shafqat Ali Wattali also joined working journalists along with Director Information Tassaduq Geelani here at Press Club and gave them patient hearing. Wattali said the officer has circulated the notice without the knowledge of senior officers.
“The issuance of notice targeting media persons was ‘unwarranted’ and the same would be withdrawn and the said police officer would be directed to tender an apology before media persons”,he added.
The working journalists in a press statement said, “instead of focusing on the alleged traffic violations by select few media persons the SP Traffic should focus on smooth regulation of traffic and also check traffic violations committed by VVIPs including senior police officers,bureaucrats and senior state govt officers”.
The working journalists said every day hundreds of govt vehicles ferry school going children/families of officers in official vehicles but traffic police department has never issued notices to them or challaned them.
The journalists said due to misuse of official machinery the congested ‘city of temples’ witness traffic jams but seldom traffic police makes an effort in regulating traffic as they either remain engaged in movement of VVIP’s or harass commuters by pouncing on them sometimes compromising their security.
The journalists also drew attention of the traffic police authorities towards non-functioning of traffic signal lights and the unholy nexus between owners of commercial vehicles and men in blue uniform.
The working journalists said In the past the said officer had tendered personal apology on the directions of MOS Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo but he has not stopped provoking them.
During the meeting held here at Press Club Jammu senior media persons also apprised the MoS Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo with the latest episode and has decided to call on the Minister to highlight their genuine grievances.
The working journalists also expressed concern over the role of the Information department as the said notice was circulated by SP Traffic through them. Director Information Tassaduq Geelani said it is unfortunate the notice was issued by the SP traffic targeting only media persons.
While expressing anguish over the notice the journalist fraternity in one voice said, the police department is itself a biggest violator of traffic norms but seldom action has been taken against them or any notice has been issued by them. The traffic department has failed to check the unholy nexus between their own officers and commercial vehicle mafia.
The traffic police have also failed to regulate the traffic scenario causing lot of hardships to commuters as they remain busy in minting money by pouncing on violators. It has been observed and noticed by media persons that accidents take place as traffic cops manhandle the violator.
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