Kendrapara, June 24: Eight policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector, were placed under suspension for extorting money from truck drivers on the Daitari-Paradip highway.

Recently, over two dozen of policemen on NH traffic control duty have faced the axe on bribe charge.

“The policemen against whom disciplinary action had been initiated were found guilty of resorting to unfair practice while discharging patrolling duty on the national highway. Those placed under suspension were Debendra Nath Behera, assistant sub-inspector of Marshaghai police station and seven other personnel of the rank of havildar and constable,” said Kendrapara superintendent of police Narasingha Bhol.

Action against the erring cops had been initiated on the basis of an inquiry report submitted by the inspector of Marshaghai police station, Bhol said.

Taking advantage of traffic jam on the express highway that connects the mineral-rich hinterland with Paradip port, the cops were found taking money from crews of ore-laden trucks for letting them violate traffic regulations.

The NH-5(A) is being hit by frequent traffic jams following a rise in ore transportation to Paradip port. Few policemen on traffic control duty allegedly allowed the ore-laden trucks to break traffic rules and ply on the way meant for other vehicles.

In exchange, they were being bribed by the truck operators and crews. In the process, the truck operators could save time for making another trip to collect cargo. Both the truck operators and corrupt cops got benefited while the common people got delayed in traffic jam, Bhol said.

“We have received reports of patrol teams engaging middlemen to collect bribes on their behalf. There are also allegations that officers of highway-side police stations are hand in glove with unscrupulous NH patrol teams. A separate inquiry is on to ascertain whether police station officials are party to this practice,” he said.

The NH-5(A), one the busiest traffic routes in the state, is the lifeline of Paradip port, as transportation of mineral ores and cargoes is carried out through this highway.

But, it is being besieged by frequent traffic jam as truckers

violate traffic rules with the connivance of police on patrol duty.