Traffic rule violations: OHRC wants clarifications from govt

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Human Rights Commission(OHRC), Saturday, sought clarifications from the authorities in the transport and Police department about the violation of traffic rules by habitual violators in the twin city putting the life of law abiding citizens in danger during the three-month breather allowed by the state government.
The commission has taken the issue suo motu while hearing a plaint registered by advocate Sivasankar Mohanty alleging negligence by traffic cops deployed at College Square of Cuttack due to which a Plus III student, Annapurna Choudhury of Ravenshaw University, died on the spot after being hit by a truck.
The Commission also directed the Commissioner of Police to enquire into the incident and submit a report in this regard by October 31.
Meanwhile, the Commission said in the report that the habitual law- breakers, taking advantage of the benevolent gesture shown by the government, engaged in violating traffic rules. It also asserted that they cannot be allowed to put the life of pedestrians and other innocent commuters at risk.
The Commission sought suggestions from the DCP (traffic) for the twin city and Regional Transport officers of both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack over the current action being taken by the administration against violators.
The Commission queried whether the authorities have periodically checked autorickshaws and taken action against those found guilty of violating traffic rules regarding over-loading and those lacking registration.
It asked the authorities whether the persons having no driving license or insurance cover can ply on the road during the three-month breather period. It also sought the stand by the state government in case of a road mishap committed by such law- breakers who have no license and can get away with claiming that the three month time given by the state to obtain all the documents.
The Commission also wanted to know that who will compensate the claimant in a road mishap involving a person without driving license. It questioned whether the insurance firm can be held liable for providing the compensation. The Commission questioned that such situations would create legal complicacies for the act of omission and commission by the authorities for not adhereing to the rule books.
The Commission also asked the authorities whether the person who restrains or attacks public officials while enforcing the law enacted by Parliament would go unpunished due to the breather.
The Commission also asked if the authorities have been regularly checking vehicles ferrying school children and subsequently issuing safety certificates to these vehicles.
This apart, the Commission praised the awareness drive carried out by the Commissionerate police in the twin city. The Commission has informed that it will send recommendations to the state governments after going through the suggestions of the authorities. The authorities have been asked to submit the report by October 14.