Be polite if you can with rule violators but do collect penalty from them - that's the message from the top to traffic policemen on duty.

"There are people, who after being caught violating traffic rules, tend to show their influence. They try to intimidate a constable or even a senior officer by flaunting his or her influence, that they know some high-ranking officer or official. Many a time, they claim they have influential relatives and force the cops to let them go. There have been cases in which the motorists have got into unnecessary arguments with the men-in-uniform and then started to call up someone on their cellphone. They cannot be dealt with angrily," superintendent of police (traffic) P.K. Das said.

The officer said instructions have been passed on to avoid any kind of argument. "The cops work all day and remain in a lot of stress. They have been asked to hold their patience and not react in a sharp manner. Instead, they should smile if required, fold hands before them, tell and explain to them politely about their traffic offence and ensure they are not let off. A smiling face with polite words always makes a difference. Though no action will be initiated against those cops who tend to get angry, they should start and practise the same mantra and there will definitely be a difference," he said.

Cops on field duty said they deal with such persons daily. "Here, every second person claims to be related to a politician or a police officer. They turn abusive many a time and pick up a fight with us," said a traffic constable posted near Hartali Mor.