East Singhbhum police have decided to strictly impose the helmet rule on social, political and religious bike rallies in Jamshedpur, drawing mixed response from various parties.
City SP Prashant Anand said the decision was taken on Friday to amplify road safety and discipline individual bikers as well. "The helmet rule for bike rallies will be effective from tomorrow (Saturday). Any violation will invite prosecution under the Motor Vehicles Act," he said.
Anand said surveillance cameras, installed on thoroughfares like Bistupur main road, Straight Mile Road, Kalimati Road, Station Road, Golmuri-Telco Road and Sonari-Kadma Link Road, would help them nail offenders.
"The CCTV camera footage will allow us to monitor bike rallies and pinpoint violations. Helmet is for safety. It should be worn by everybody riding a bike, be it a political event or a religious procession. The rule will be binding for all. Offenders won't be spared irrespective of their status," the city SP said.
The police decision hasn't gone down well with a few political leaders.
JMM's East Singhbhum district president Ramdas Soren sounded reluctant to obey the rule. "We take out bike rallies frequently. We will continue to do so. Using helmets during a rally is not acceptable to us. However, we will discuss the new decision at party forums," he said.
Soren, also a former legislator, said if the administration remained adamant, they would take out a massive bike rally in protest and watch how many police could prosecute.
Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha state unit vice-president Vikas Singh, on the other hand, played safe. "Since police have made using helmets during bike rallies mandatory, we will definitely obey the order. After all, it is always safer to ride a bike while wearing a helmet," he said.
Former Congress legislator Banna Gupta too supported the police measure.
"If police have made wearing helmet compulsory, we welcome it. I personally hope that the party leadership in the district understands that the measure is for everyone's safety," said Gupta.
