Cops draw flak from FB users over SC order

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The Chennai city traffic police’s (CCTP) decision to enforce the Supreme Court order banning pasting of sun-control film on the glass of vehicles has drawn flak from Facebook users in its official FB page.

About 56 social network users who have commented to the CCTP post on the order have expressed dissent.

The CCTP, in its official Facebook page, states that, “As per the Supreme Court orders, pasting of sun control film on vehicle glass is not permitted. Motorists are advised to remove the sun control film.”

Many users has questioned the urgency shown by the police to implement the order.

“Have you implemented all SC rules till date? If not why show urgency on this?” asks Venkatraman Venkatadri. He asks if the rule will be implemented for police and VVIP cars also.

Many women oppose the move as an intrusion of their privacy. “The black film gave us some sort of cover from the gawking stares of other road users. But now we are left bare,” laments Lakshmi Madhu, a techie who drives to work.

“Government is ripping our privacy. Do you think we can take women members of the family outside freely by removing the sun control films?

Or will they feel secure?” asked M. Narendra Kumar.

Pooja Sengupta says, “I’ll probably sue the government if I or anyone I know ever get Sun cancer!”
A lone FB user Vishaak Pranavaanandh supported the police move.

“Implementing the SC’s order is a must for all. It is better to think of an alternative for it than grabbing opportunity to pull the legs of police...,” he said.

Police removes 3,300 sun-control films

Much to the dismay of vehicle users, the city traffic police started removing sun control films from vehicle windows on Monday.

The police removed a total of 3,300 sun control films from vehicles. Police had employed groups of youths who, along with the traffic cops, removed the sun films from the vehicles.

Though the police had asked vehicle owners to remove the films four days back, many people were annoyed with the police action on Monday morning.

Heated arguments between the police and vehicle owners were seen at most points where police teams began their operation against the sun control films.

The police said they had no option but to implement the order. Some motorists preferred to pay a fine of Rs 100 but the police warned them that another team might catch them again a few hundred metres away and advised them to remove the films as early as possible.

Some motorists argued that their films had enough transparency and visibility but the police reminded them that the Apex Court had ordered the removal of all films stuck on windows and only vehicles with tinted glasses manufactured by the car companies would be spared.

Fearing public criticism most senior police officials had already removed the sun films from their vehicle.

“We know it is not a pleasant thing to do. It is troubling car users because of the current weather condition in the city. But we have no option,” a senior police officer said.

Another official said that they had not yet received the list of VIPs and officials who could have dark films on their vehicles.