Respected Sir / Madam,
It’s deplorable that despite public nuisance being caused on our public open spaces right under the noses of the Police, no action is taken against the offenders. The Police have wide ranging powers under the Bombay Police Act to warn, apprehend or fine the culprits but rarely is it noticed that such powers are made use of. When asked their usual answer being 'let the public lodge a complaint then we shall see what can be done.' That’s preposterous.
Why should the Police wait for a complaint to be lodged ? What are the “Beat constables” or the “ Beat Officers “ for ? Don’t they observe the tremendous inconvenience caused to the lay public by people who litter, spit, urinate, defecate, hinder traffic by parking illegally or putting up stalls on the pavements / roads or other open spaces ? Or when peace and tranquility of an area gets disturbed by the use of blaring loud speakers during religious festivals or processions ?
Earlier, the beat constable would commonly be observed keeping a watchful eye on such nuisances and even pulling up nuisance-makers. Now they care a damn for the same. This precisely being the reason for the trouble-makers who are thus emboldened to continue with the misdemeanor due to lack of fear of being pulled-up or fined.
The Bombay Police Act under the chapter on “Duty of Police towards Society” clearly stipulates the Public nuisances that the Police are supposed to deal against (under section 110 upto 117) and the powers it enjoys to warn, penalize or fine (under section 151) whenever the nuisance laws are breached.
Thus, we urge the concerned powers-that-be in the Police Department and the Home Minister to ensure that the Police do not turn a blind eye and deaf ear to such nuisances caused in our open spaces and strictly act against the law-breakers. This surely would go a long way in instilling fear in the hearts of the nuisance-makers and thus help in maintaining peace, harmony, reduce lawlessness and give a better quality of life for the common man.
Thank you.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IF WE CARE.
G R Vora.