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| Yahan Par Police Main Itni Corruption Hai! | | | ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 11:
Time: 6:55 p.m on May 8, 2010
Place: Just two kilometers away from Domail towards Katra
The bus (JK02E-7937), in which I was travelling, came to screeching halt. At this point a traffic cop moved in for some query, I took him to be enquiring about the documents and screening of the bus, a routine ritual in this state. But that was not to be. The moments that followed left me dumbstruck. The cop after exchanging a pleasantry and a handful of currency notes with the driver vanished into a nearby vehicle where his boss (superior), an inspector rank officer, was waiting for the 'consignment'.
About eight passengers including myself were standing in the bus as all the seats were occupied by the pilgrims visiting the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Though it was noticed by the traffic cops, yet they ignored it and asked the driver to come down. Surprisningly ,instead of asking for documents and driving licence, the traffic cop called the driver at the rear end of the bus and here the money exchanged hands. The cop shamelessly took the money and that too, in front of his boss who was sitting in a Maruti Gypsy (JK02Q-5442). Interestingly, the Maruti Gypsy did not have a number-plate and the registration number was inscribed with paint.
It was about five minutes halt for the bus and after giving away the 'fixed amount', the driver was allowed to move ahead. Though things were by now clear, still curious as I was, I went to the conductor and asked, "How much they have charged from you......?"
In the first instance, he tried to evade my query but not one to remain silent, I insisted on my query. "Yeh To Roz Ki Kahani Hai. Agar Inko Nain De To Yeh Gaadi Hi Nahi Chalne De," was his expected reply. His response was very casual as for him nothing unexpected had happened.
He, however, remarked, "Agar Nahi Denge To Kisi Na Kisi Tarah Se Challan Kar Denge Chahe Aapki Formalities Complete Ho. Challan Karenge To 2-3 Din Gaddi Ruki Rahe Gi Aur Hume Nuksan Hoga."
He informed me that he has given two hundreds rupees to the cops so that he (cop) gave green signal to bus for its onward journey.
Though it could not be straightaway linked to having received any jolt, but definitely my ardent faith suffered a setback as the bus moved a couple of miles further to stop at Nomain, a stopover for the buses to be thoroughly checked.
A couple of Jammu and Kashmir Police cops posted at the point performed the ritual hastily by one shoving the alighted passengers through the defunct metal detector as the other gave a quick glance into the bus to signal OK for the next to move in for checking.
The big signboards having the telephone number of senior police officers for general public to register their complaints seemed to be a futile exercise as nothing was moving in right direction.
Ironically, security agencies have already sounded an alarm vis-à-vis security of the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi cave. The security agencies have warned that the terrorists may strike this holy shrine anytime. However, in contrast to all such terror threats, our bags were not frisked and the passengers (about 400) of seven buses, which were stopped for checking, were asked to come down only as a matter of performing ritual and formality.
"Yahan Par Police Main Itni Corruption Hai," remarked a south Indian passenger seated besides me in the bus which was somewhat hurtful comment for me as I belong to this State. Such is the state of affair in one of the most sought after place of pilgrimage in Jammu which is heavily corrupted. Not only the pilgrims of the outside state who are put to such harassment and hardships take back the impression and images of the mismanagement in Jammu over Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shine, but the common man feeling embarrassed to face such situations is another important factor that is affecting the image and sanctity of sanctum sanctorum.
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