Jamshedpur, April 23: Beware, visitors to Jubilee Park who come on motorcycles. While parking, one must be absolutely sure that the vehicle is properly locked.

For, it is not a gang of bike lifters, but a section of policemen who are on the prowl at the park. With utmost pre- cision, the men-in-khaki pounce on their prey, a newly married couple or college students or even unsuspecting evening walkers.

Sanat Kumar Singh had, along with his newly married wife, in the recent past, gone to the park to cool off in the lush greens. Before walking into the park interior, Singh parked his Hero Honda Splendour after locking it properly. On return, to his surprise, he found his motorcycle missing.

Singh found his two-wheeler parked a little distance away from the spot he had originally parked it. Standing beside his Splendour were two police constables. On approaching them, one of the constables asked Singh to accompany them to Bistupur police station for leaving his motorcycle unlocked.

Poor Singh argued in vain that he had locked the vehicle properly at the time of parking it. A heated argument ensued and a crowd gathered. Under the pressure of the crowd, the policemen ultimately gave in and allowed Singh to go home.

In another instance, a college student had to part with his pocket money for parking his motorcycle in the extreme end of the parking lot. Sanat Kumar Singh, the college student, was surprised to find his motorcycle shifted from one place to another and being guarded by two constables.

The phenomena of parked vehicles getting unlocked continues to puzzle visitors to Jubilee Park. Not only Jubilee Park, but in other places like South Park in Bistupur and on Kadma-Sonari Link Road in Kadma, where the cops on special duty, this unique extortion game plan continues.

Dhananjay Mandal of Sonari was fined Rs 200 on Kadma-Sonari Link Road recently for carrying two pillion passengers on his Rajdoot.

On Outer Circle Road in South Park, extorting money from those carrying more pillion passengers is a common sight. With carbine tucked under the arm, the constables stop motorcycles they fancy and corner him to negotiate a deal. Prakash Singh of Road No. 6 of Adityapur, had started avoiding the South Park area in fear of being caught by the cops on special duty.

“Not that all police constables posted along strategic locations in Bistupur are corrupt, but when someone falls victim to a corrupt cop, then he is bound to form a negative image about the police,” said Prakash Singh, associated with an insurance company.

Superintendent of police Naveen Kumar Singh said his men were doing good job by providing their service at secluded places. “I am getting feedback about constables doing a good job. But if anyone is harassed in any form by these constables, then one may contact me and lodge a complaint immediately,” he added.