Police harassment should have its limits

Since last month, there is an ubiquitous police presence in Colombo at night, and some of the ‘tent’ checkpoints are back and manned. While the crime rate is high and the narcotics business is carrying on as ever, that doesn’t explain this new police presence everywhere in the city. One can see that their prime occupation is stopping and harassing tired motorists returning home after work or private matters. As someone who got stopped and checked three times from Peliyagoda to Rajagiriya one night, I can attest to what a harassment this can be. 

They are checking revenue license, vehicle insurance and driver’s license. These are normal traffic police duties carried out everywhere in the city day and night. But I was checked for this documentation by non-traffic police personnel from local police stations. They have the right to check, but I have the right to ask; what is the purpose of all this checking?

Certainly, drivers and riders without proper documentation are nabbed. But is it necessary to have so many policemen doing this? They are on duty till midnight, sometimes even later. Also, their attitudes have hardened and they are merciless. I heard one Pickme delivery guy pleading with two policemen not to charge him because his insurance had lapsed by a day. They fined him anyway. Several years ago, I found out during a check that my vehicle insurance had lapsed by a few days. That policeman was kind enough to advise me to get it renewed immediately and let me go. No such mercy is forthcoming these days though the police (and the government) should know that most people are living under great pressure. They can be forgetful, and getting slapped by a thousand rupee fine can badly hurt a breadwinner’s daily earnings. 

A harassed motorist