There is one group of people that anti-social elements fear more than the police itself: wives and mothers.
Using this logic, the city police are hoping to rein in habitual offenders by taking their family into confidence. During their area domination exercise, Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Harishekharan found out that many offenders keep their activities hidden from their wives or mothers – in some cases, even marrying without informing the bride of the long list of criminal cases against them.
The police are now breaking the news to the family with the hope that the embarrassment will keep them in check. Furthermore, the police have informed the neighbours and elders in the area, starting a process that may end up in counselling the offenders.
Commute time is
show time
For many commuters, public buses have become an unnecessary light and sound show.
Most route boards do not sport a light. The ones that do, have two bright lights that end up blinding the anxious commuter.
In between, passengers have to avoid two-wheeler riders who try to squeeze between the bus and pavement, hop over footpath rubble and puddles to ask the conductor or driver where the bus is headed. More often than not, the irritable reply is: ”Don’t you see the board?”
Even if one is lucky enough to enter the right bus, sound is a major issue. Many buses now have loud music systems, prompting the conductor to shout back: “Where do you need to go? Speak loudly”. The music system, however, is one paid for by the conductor and driver – as a means to escape the incessant honking on the roads.
(Reporting by Imran Gowhar & Ranjani Govind)
